Meiotic Cell Cycle Progression in Mouse Oocytes: Role of Cyclins

All eukaryotic cells, including oocytes, utilize an engine called cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) to drive the cell cycle. Cdks are activated by a co-factor called cyclin, which regulates their activity. The key Cdk-cyclin complex that regulates the oocyte cell cycle is known as Cdk1-cyclin B1. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of other cyclins, such as B2, B3, A2, and O, in oocyte cell cycle regulation. This review aims to discuss the recently discovered roles of various cyclins in mouse oocyte cell cycle regulation in accordance with the sequential progression of the cell cycle. In addition, this review addresses the translation and degradation of cyclins to modulate the activity of Cdks. Overall, the literature indicates that each cyclin performs unique and redundant functions at various stages of the cell cycle, while their expression and degradation are tightly regulated. Taken together, this review provides new insights into the regulatory role and function of cyclins in oocyte cell cycle progression.

Automated summary

All eukaryotic cells, including oocytes, use cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) as an engine to drive the cell cycle. The key regulator of the oocyte cell cycle is the Cdk1-cyclin B1 complex. Recent studies have discovered the roles of other cyclins in mouse oocyte cell cycle regulation, as well as the translation and degradation of cyclins to modulate Cdk activity. This review provides new insights into the regulatory role and function of cyclins in oocyte cell cycle progression.