TAF4B Is a molecular marker of oocyte quality

The detailed molecular characterization of human female germ cells and their biology is important for understanding the bases of infertility disorders. Searching for molecular biomarkers of oocyte quality, our group has begun to analyze structure and functions of some essential mRNAs. We focused our initial efforts on mRNA molecules encoding TAF4B, a TFIID subunit highly expressed in granulosa cells and involved in folliculogenesis. Through semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of single oocytes, we investigated the expression of TAF4B mRNA in human female germ cell and compared its synthesis in cells with normal morphology (group A) with that of oocytes showing cytoplasmic alterations (group B). Our data demonstrate that TAF4B is constitutively expressed in both group A and B oocytes, but its levels are significantly lower in the latter. These studies confirm that the GTF TAF4B may perform an important role in human gametogenesis or in the first phases of development, suggesting its use as biomarker of oocyte quality.