IA State Univ. Report 2012: DND1 Expression and Function in the Porcine Ovary, Oocyte

DND1 (dead end homolog 1), belonging to the RNA binding protein family, can impact miRNA:mRNA functional pathway and in turn may contribute to maintaining normal oocyte growth and quality as well as embryo development following fertilization. To characterize DND1 in pig maturing oocytes and cumulus cells, and early embryos, we examined DND1 mRNA and protein expression using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot and immunostaining.