  ReviewEpigenetic regulation in mammalian preimplantation embryo developmentLingjun Shi  and Ji Wu  School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China  author email corresponding author email
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2009,
7:59doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-59 Abstract
Preimplantation embryo development involves four stages: fertilization, cell cleavage, morula and blastocyst formation. During these stages, maternal and zygotic epigenetic factors play crucial roles. The gene expression profile is changed dramatically, chromatin is modified and core histone elements undergo significant changes. Each preimplantation embryo stage has its own characteristic epigenetic profile, consistent with the acquisition of the capacity to support development. Moreover, histone modifications such as methylation and acetylation as well as other epigenetic events can act as regulatory switches of gene transcription. Because the epigenetic profile is largely related to differentiation, epigenetic dysfunction can give rise to developmental abnormalities. Thus, epigenetic profiling of the embryo is of pivotal importance clinically. Given the importance of these aspects, this review will mainly focus on the epigenetic profile during preimplantation embryo development, as well as interactions between epigenetic and genetic regulation in these early developmental stages. | 
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