Role of the first round of DNA replication in reprogramming gene expression in the preimplantation mouse embryo

The first round of DNA replication has been proposed to provide a window of opportunity for maternally-derived transcription factors to gain access to their cognate cis-binding DNA sequences and thereby reprogram the pattern of gene expression that occurs during the 2-cell stage. Using high-resolution, two-dimensional electrophoresis of metabolically radio-labeled polypeptides, we report the expression of a group of several polypeptides whose synthesis in the 2-cell embryo is due to transcription (i.e., alpha-amanitin-sensitive) and depends on the first round of DNA replication (i.e., aphidicolin-sensitive). We also describe the synthesis of another subset of alpha-amanitin-sensitive polypeptides whose expression does not require the first round of DNA replication (i.e., aphidicolin-insensitive). These results are consistent with the proposed role of the first round of DNA replication in reprogramming the pattern of gene expression.