Regulation and role of mitochondrial transport in mouse oocyte and early embryogenesis

A spatial organization of cellular components plays a vital role in cell function. Oocyte mitochondria display dynamic changes in distribution during oocyte growth and maturation. However, how oocytes ensure efficient mitochondrial distribution to the correct destinations remains poorly understood. In this thesis, I investigated mitochondrial reorganization which can be mediated by passive mitochondrial streaming in mature oocytes and the roles of active trafficking mechanisms regulated by mitochondrial adaptor proteins in oocytes and early embryogenesis. These studies will provide new insights into how mitochondrial organization in the cytoplasm impacts oocytes and embryo viability.