Embryonic poly(A)-binding protein (EPAB)-deficient mice are infertile due to defects in both the oocyte and the somatic cells of the ovary. Since EPAB is oocyte specific, the abnormalities in the somatic compartment of Epab^-/- mice are likely due to factors inherent to the oocyte. Herein, we investigated whether oocyte—somatic communication is disrupted as a result of EPAB deficiency. We found that gap junctions are disrupted at the late preantral stage of folliculogenesis in Epab^-/- mice and remain disrupted in cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs) from antral follicles. Consistent with the timing of gap junction dysfunction, F-actin staining of transzonal processes (TZPs) is lower in Epab^-/- follicles at the late preantral stage and completely absent in Epab^-/- COCs. Epab^-/- oocytes express significantly lower levels of the junction protein E-cadherin, which is likely to be a contributing factor leading to premature TZP retraction. Overall, these results demonstrate that EPAB is important for oocyte—somatic communication by maintaining TZPs and gap junctions at the preantral stage of folliculogenesis.

Summary Sentence

EPAB is an oocyte-specific translational regulator that has a precise role at the preantral stage of follicle development for establishing communication between the oocyte and somatic cells.