Knockdown of Mageb16 disrupts cell proliferation and lineage specification during mouse preimplantation development

Melanoma antigen family member B16 (Mageb16) is crucial for maintaining the pluripotency and differentiation of embryonic stem cells. However, the expression pattern and biological role of Mageb16 during preimplantation development remain unclear. In this study, we showed that Mageb16 mRNA expression was dynamic throughout preimplantation development, with the highest level occurring at the morula stage. The abundance of Mageb16 mRNA was effectively reduced via small interfering RNA (siRNA) microinjection. Mageb16 knockdown significantly reduced the blastocyst formation rate, outgrowth formation rate, and total number of cells per embryo. Importantly, the reduction in MAGEB16 blocked cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase and disrupted lineage segregation but did not induce DNA damage in preimplantation mouse embryos. Intriguingly, Mageb16 knockdown increased the level of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) but attenuated transcriptional activity. Together, our results reveal a crucial role for Mageb16 in mouse preimplantation development, likely by controlling cell proliferation and lineage specification.