Abstract
F-actin is of critical importance in oocyte meiotic maturation. Actin assembly and its dynamics are mainly regulated by actin nucleation factors. The actin-related protein complex 2/3 (Arp2/3) is responsible for the organization of F-actin filaments. However, the role of Arp2/3 complex in goat oocytes has not been fully elucidated. Our findings demonstrate that Arp2/3 complex activity is necessary for the maturation of goat oocytes. The Arp2/3 complex-specific inhibitor CK666 impairs the maturation of goat oocytes and alters the genes associated with cumulus expansion, both of which suggest that normal meiosis is affected. Arp2, one of the subunits of the Arp2/3 complex, was found to be mainly accumulated at the oocyte cortex and to co-localize with F-actin during goat oocyte maturation in our results. Thus, we further investigated the cytoskeleton dynamics and found that Arp2/3 complex inhibition disrupts the F-actin assembly and spindle organization. Further analysis revealed that, in addition to direct effects on the cytoskeleton, Arp2/3 complex could also induce ROS accumulation and oxidative stress by disrupting mitochondrial distribution and function, ultimately increasing the rate of early apoptosis in goat oocytes. Our study provides evidence that the Arp2/3 complex is a key regulator of goat oocyte maturation through its regulation of the cytoskeleton dynamics and mitochondrial function.