Figures & data
Figure 1. The DNA damage response (DDR) of individual blastomere in early embryo. Laser microbeam is used to generate DNA breaks of a single blastomere by aiming at a specific region of the nucleus. DNA damages induce the activation of ATM, which phosphorylates H2AX and amplifies DNA damage signal. The active ATM further activates its downstream substrates, such as Chk2, the mediator of the DDR. Phosphorylated Chk2 causes a series of reactions and finally triggers apoptosis signals to the blastomere. The blastomere ceases cleavage and cannot incorporate into compacted morula.
