Differentially expressed circular RNAs in maternal and neonatal umbilical cord plasma from SGA compared with AGA.

Small for gestational age (SGA) has a high risk of mortality and morbidity and is common in obstetrics. To date, no effective prediction and treatment tools are available. Acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and disease biomarkers are clear functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs).

Oocyte-expressed yes-associated protein is a key activator of the early zygotic genome in mouse.

In early mammalian embryos, the genome is transcriptionally quiescent until the zygotic genome activation (ZGA) which occurs 2-3 days after fertilization. Despite a long-standing effort, maternal transcription factors regulating this crucial developmental event remain largely elusive. Here, using maternal and paternal mouse models of Yap1 deletion, we show that maternally accumulated yes-associated protein (YAP) in oocyte is essential for ZGA.