Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection

Summary: Zygotic microinjections show that sperm RNAs transmit non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring and influence embryonic development. Here, we present a protocol for the micromanipulation of mouse zygotes to introduce physiologically relevant levels of sperm RNA. We describe steps fo...

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Main Authors: Grace S. Lee, Natalie A. Trigg, Colin C. Conine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:STAR Protocols
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166725001789
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author Grace S. Lee
Natalie A. Trigg
Colin C. Conine
author_facet Grace S. Lee
Natalie A. Trigg
Colin C. Conine
author_sort Grace S. Lee
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Zygotic microinjections show that sperm RNAs transmit non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring and influence embryonic development. Here, we present a protocol for the micromanipulation of mouse zygotes to introduce physiologically relevant levels of sperm RNA. We describe steps for producing functional mRNAs in vitro; purifying mouse sperm RNAs; and preparing, microinjecting, and culturing zygotes. This protocol facilitates causal analysis between sperm RNA and gene regulation postfertilization.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Trigg et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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spelling doaj-art-ba07f8a12a784c779a762f529e5934d52025-08-20T03:09:12ZengElsevierSTAR Protocols2666-16672025-06-016210377210.1016/j.xpro.2025.103772Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjectionGrace S. Lee0Natalie A. Trigg1Colin C. Conine2Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics - Penn Epigenetics Institute, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Center for Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USADivision of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics - Penn Epigenetics Institute, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Center for Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USADivision of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics - Penn Epigenetics Institute, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Center for Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corresponding authorSummary: Zygotic microinjections show that sperm RNAs transmit non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring and influence embryonic development. Here, we present a protocol for the micromanipulation of mouse zygotes to introduce physiologically relevant levels of sperm RNA. We describe steps for producing functional mRNAs in vitro; purifying mouse sperm RNAs; and preparing, microinjecting, and culturing zygotes. This protocol facilitates causal analysis between sperm RNA and gene regulation postfertilization.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Trigg et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166725001789Developmental biologyGene ExpressionBiotechnology and bioengineering
spellingShingle Grace S. Lee
Natalie A. Trigg
Colin C. Conine
Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
STAR Protocols
Developmental biology
Gene Expression
Biotechnology and bioengineering
title Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
title_full Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
title_fullStr Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
title_full_unstemmed Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
title_short Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
title_sort protocol to assess the impact of sperm rna on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection
topic Developmental biology
Gene Expression
Biotechnology and bioengineering
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166725001789
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AT natalieatrigg protocoltoassesstheimpactofspermrnaonmousepreimplantationembryosusingmicroinjection
AT colincconine protocoltoassesstheimpactofspermrnaonmousepreimplantationembryosusingmicroinjection