Advances on the Regulatory Mechanisms of Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition in Early Embryonic Development
ZHANG Wuwen*, LI Kai, YIN Ping, ZHONG Xiufang, LI Yun, YAN Hua*
Early embryonic development is a highly intricate and orderly process that involves multiple key cellular and molecular events. These events include the degradation of maternal substances, the activation of the zygotic genome, the transition from maternal control to zygotic control, and the differentiation of cell fates. Current research indicates that the degradation of maternal substances and the activation of the zygotic genome is a dynamic and complex process, which is crucial for the successful transition of MZT (maternal-to-zygotic transition) and involves various regulatory mechanisms, including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and histone modifications. At the same time, MZT is a key turning point in the early embryonic development process and is closely related to the normal development of the embryo and its subsequent biological functions. In recent years, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the mechanisms of MZT; however, some mysteries remain unresolved, such as the differences in the MZT process across species and the specific mechanisms of action of various regulatory factors. This article aims to summarize and analyze the roles of maternal substance degradation, zygotic genome activation, and their regulatory factors in MZT, exploring the commonalities and differences across biological models and providing new perspectives for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MZT.
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