Since its recent discovery, the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is emerging as a maternally inherited and crucial biological structure for the initial stages of embryogenesis in mammals. Uniquely expressed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos, where it localizes to the cell subcortex, this multiprotein complex is essential for early embryo development in the mouse and is functionally conserved across mammalian species, including humans. The complex has been linked to key processes leading the transition from oocyte to embryo, including meiotic spindle formation and positioning, regulation of translation, organelle redistribution, and epigenetic reprogramming. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms for these diverse functions are just beginning to be understood, hindered by unresolved interplay of SCMC components and variations in early lethal phenotypes. Here we review recent advances confirming involvement of the SCMC in human infertility, revealing an unexpected relationship with offspring health. Moreover, SCMC organization is being further revealed in terms of novel components and interactions with additional cell constituents. Collectively, this evidence prompts new avenues of investigation into possible roles during the process of oogenesis and the regulation of maternal transcript turnover during the oocyte to embryo transition.

中文翻译：

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皮质下母体复合体：新兴角色和新视角

自最近发现以来，皮质下母体复合体 (SCMC) 正在成为哺乳动物胚胎发生初始阶段的母系遗传和关键生物学结构。这种多蛋白复合物在卵母细胞和植入前胚胎中独特表达，定位于细胞皮层下，对于小鼠早期胚胎发育至关重要，并且在包括人类在内的哺乳动物物种中功能保守。该复合物与导致从卵母细胞到胚胎转变的关键过程有关，包括减数分裂纺锤体的形成和定位、翻译调节、细胞器重新分布和表观遗传重编程。然而，这些不同功能的潜在分子机制才刚刚开始被理解，受 SCMC 成分之间未解决的相互作用和早期致死表型变异的阻碍。在这里，我们回顾了证实 SCMC 参与人类不育症的最新进展，揭示了与后代健康的意想不到的关系。此外，在新成分和与其他细胞成分的相互作用方面，SCMC 组织正在被进一步揭示。总的来说，这一证据为研究卵子发生过程中的可能作用和卵母细胞向胚胎过渡期间母体转录物周转的调节提供了新的途径。SCMC 组织在新成分和与其他细胞成分的相互作用方面得到了进一步的揭示。总的来说，这一证据为研究卵子发生过程中的可能作用和卵母细胞向胚胎过渡期间母体转录物周转的调节提供了新的途径。SCMC 组织在新成分和与其他细胞成分的相互作用方面得到了进一步的揭示。总的来说，这一证据为研究卵子发生过程中的可能作用和卵母细胞向胚胎过渡期间母体转录物周转的调节提供了新的途径。