Analysis of riboflavin transport and functions in mouse peri-implantation development

• Applicant: Dr. Rongge Yan
• Subject Area: Developmental Biology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533752257

A precisely regulated intrauterine environment is responsible for pregnancy establishment and any disruption in the homeostasis of the uterine fluid during this process can cause abnormal embryo implantation and pregnancy loss. Despite its importance, our current understanding of the signaling crosstalk between the implanting embryo and the maternal environment is limited. In this project proposal, we focus on the function of riboflavin (vitamin B2) in implanting embryos. Our preliminary data show that riboflavin is secreted in the in uterine fluid and actively transported into the blastocyst cavity just before implantation. We found that inhibiting the conversion of riboflavin into its active form, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), leads to apoptosis in the epiblast during implantation. Here we seek to decipher the functional significance of the maternally provided riboflavin in early embryonic development.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position