Abstract: Since the expressions of functional proteins are not significantly regulated at the transcriptional level in oocytes, the post-translational modification such as ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) may play an important role. F-BOX as a core member of UPS is responsible for the specific recognition of substrates, in which F-BOX participates in the ubiquitination and degradation of targeted proteins. F-BOX is widely present in germ cell and embryo, however, study on its substrates is limited. F-BOX participates in oocyte and embryo development, and oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) by affecting the ubiquitination of those key proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), signal transduction, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Additionally, F-BOX is able to regulate the levels of estrogen and progestin. We reviewed the biological roles of F-BOX in UPS, oocyte and embryo development, OET and the regulation for estrogen and progestin, in order that F-BOX will be studied as a new target of reproductive health and fertility.

Key words: Ubiquitin-protein ligases, Oocytes, Embryonic development, F-BOX protein