Nlrp4e is one of seven copies of Nlrp4 in mice. It is involved in the regulation of actin cap formation and spindle translocation during oocyte meiosis, and may play a role in female fertility [1]. Additionally, it might be crucial for early embryogenesis. The related pathways seem to involve phosphorylation-mediated activation and regulation of proteins like SRC and CDC42 during oocyte meiosis [1]. Genetic models, such as mouse models, are valuable for studying Nlrp4e's functions.

In functional studies, knockdown of Nlrp4e in mouse oocytes significantly inhibited actin cap formation and spindle translocation, leading to the failure of polar body extrusion at the end of meiosis I [1]. In fertilized eggs, Nlrp4e knockdown using RNA interference arrested embryo development between the two-and eight-cell stages in a dose-dependent manner, while its targeted inhibition in germinal-vesicle-stage oocytes had no effect on oocyte maturation [2].

In conclusion, Nlrp4e plays essential roles in oocyte meiosis and early embryogenesis. Studies using gene-knockdown (akin to a form of loss-of-function similar to gene knockout in concept) in mouse models have revealed its importance in these biological processes, potentially contributing to our understanding of female fertility and early embryonic development [1,2].

References:

1. Shi, Li-Ya, Wang, Yang, Yang, Yan-Jie, Cao, Yun-Xia, Zhang, Dong. 2024. NLRP4E regulates actin cap formation through SRC and CDC42 during oocyte meiosis. In Cellular & molecular biology letters, 29, 68. doi:10.1186/s11658-024-00580-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38730334/

2. Chang, Bo-hao, Liu, Xu, Liu, Jun, Guo, Ze-kun, Zhang, Yong. 2013. Developmental expression and possible functional roles of mouse Nlrp4e in preimplantation embryos. In In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal, 49, 548-53. doi:10.1007/s11626-013-9638-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23708922/