# Proteome of oocyte spindle identifies Ccdc69 regulates spindle assembly like “band-tightening spell”

## TL;DR

This study identifies Ccdc69 as a new protein that helps form the spindle during mouse oocyte maturation, similar to a magical tightening band from a Chinese classic.

## Contribution

The study introduces Ccdc69 as a novel regulator of spindle assembly in mouse oocytes.

## Key findings

- Ccdc69 knockout oocytes had elongated MI spindles.
- Overexpression of Ccdc69 disrupted microtubule formation and aMTOCs distribution.
- Ccdc69 overexpression impaired K-MT attachment and delayed meiotic progression.

## Abstract

Meiotic spindle is an intricate structure and required for chromosome segregation and the proper meiotic progression during oocyte maturation, and its function is regulated by a complex network of proteins located at spindle and its peripheral region. However, proteome of meiotic spindle remains poorly characterized. Here, we acquired the proteomic profile of spindles isolated from metaphase I (MI) and metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes. In particular, we identified Ccdc69 as a novel regulator of spindle assembly in mouse oocytes. Although deletion of Ccdc69 did not affect female fertility, the MI spindles were elongated in Ccdc69 knockout oocytes. Overexpression of Ccdc69 induced spindle defects by reducing microtubule formation and disturbing acentriolar microtubule organization centers (aMTOCs) distribution. Furthermore, Ccdc69 overexpression impaired kinetochore-microtubule (K-MT) attachment and delayed meiotic progression by abnormal activation of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Taken together, our study depicts the proteome of spindles during mouse oocyte maturation and demonstrates that Ccdc69 regulates spindle assembly and meiotic progression the way similar to “The Tightening Spell of Sun Wukong’s Golden Headband” in the famous Chinese Classic Journey to the West.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-025-05821-7.