Chromatin Remodeling in Mammalian Zygotes

摘要

After sperm-egg fusion during fertilization, the oocyte chromosomes and the spermnucleus are remodeled from genetically quiescent structures into genetically active pronuclei which then direct embryonic development. Toxicants may perturb the process and arrest development or alter gene expression with resulting fetal malformations. The article reviews our knowledge of chromatin remodeling in the zygote with emphasis on the potential vulnerability of these processes to disruption by chemical insult.