scholarly journals A Novel Pathway Involving Progesterone Receptor, Endothelin-2, and Endothelin Receptor B Controls Ovulation in Mice

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2784-2795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopinath S. Palanisamy ◽  
Yong-Pil Cheon ◽  
Jaeyeon Kim ◽  
Athilakshmi Kannan ◽  
Quanxi Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
B Mice ◽  
Theca Interna

Abstract The steroid hormone progesterone (P) plays a pivotal role during ovulation. Mice lacking P receptor (Pgr) gene fail to ovulate due to a defect in follicular rupture. The P receptor (PGR)-regulated pathways that modulate ovulation, however, remain poorly understood. To identify these pathways, we performed gene expression profiling using ovaries from mice subjected to gonadotropin-induced superovulation in the presence and in the absence of CDB-2914, a synthetic PGR antagonist. Prominent among the genes that were down-regulated in response to CDB-2914 was endothelin (ET)-2, a potent vasoactive molecule. ET-2 mRNA was transiently induced in mural granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicles immediately preceding ovulation. This induction was absent in the ovaries of PGR null mice, indicating a critical role of this receptor in ET-2 expression. To investigate the functional role of ET-2 during ovulation, we employed selective antagonists of endothelin receptors, ETR-A and ETR-B. Mice treated with an ETR-B antagonist exhibited a dramatic (>85%) decline in the number of released oocytes. Strong expression of ETR-B was observed in the mural and cumulus granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicles as well as in the capillaries lining the inner border of the theca interna. We also identified cGMP-dependent protein kinase II, a previously reported PGR-regulated gene, as a downstream target of ET-2 during ovulation. Collectively, our studies uncovered a unique pathway in which ET-2, produced by PGR in mural granulosa cells, acts in a paracrine or autocrine manner on multiple cell types within the preovulatory follicle to control the final events leading to its rupture.

Secretion of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and estrogens by porcine granulosa and theca interna cells in culture

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1951-1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin K. Tsang ◽  
Arezoo Taheri ◽  
Louis Ainsworth ◽  
Bruce R. Downey
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Steroid Substrate ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Serum Gonadotropin ◽  
Exogenous Progesterone ◽  
Theca Interna ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

The steroid secreting activities of dispersed granulosa and theca interna cells from preovulatory follicles of prepubertal gilts 72 h after pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin treatment (750 IU) were compared. The cells were cultured for 24 h with or without steroid substrate (10−8 to 10−5 M progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, or androstenedione), FSH (100 ng/mL), LH (100 ng/mL), and cyanoketone (0.25 μM, an inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase). Granulosa cells cultured alone secreted mainly progesterone. Theca interna cells secreted mainly 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione, with secretion being markedly enhanced by LH. In the presence of cyanoketone, which inhibited endogenous progesterone production, theca interna but not granulosa cells were able to convert exogenous progesterone to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione, and exogenous 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione and estradiol-17β in high yield. The secretion of the latter steroids from exogenous substrates was unaffected by LH. Theca interna cells secreted more estradiol-17β than did granulosa cells in the absence of aromatizable substrate, but estradiol-17β secretion by the latter was markedly increased after the addition of androstenedione. These apparent differences in steroid secreting activity between the cell types suggest that the enzymes responsible for conversion of C21 to C19 steroids, i.e., 17α-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase, reside principally in the theca interna cells. However, aromatase activity appears to be much higher in granulosa cells.

scholarly journals Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Is a Target of Progesterone Regulation in the Preovulatory Follicles and Controls Ovulation in Mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1770-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaeyeon Kim ◽  
Marcey Sato ◽  
Quanxi Li ◽  
John P. Lydon ◽  
Francesco J. DeMayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Conditional Knockout Mouse ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Ovulatory Process

ABSTRACT The progesterone receptor (PR) plays a critical role during ovulation. Mice lacking the PR gene are anovulatory due to a failure in the rupture of the preovulatory follicles. The pathways that operate downstream of PR to control ovulation are poorly understood. Using gene expression profiling, we identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as a target of regulation by PR in the granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicles during the ovulatory process. To investigate the function of PPARγ during ovulation, we created a conditional knockout mouse in which this gene was deleted via Cre-Lox-mediated excision in granulosa cells. When these mutant mice were subjected to gonadotropin-induced superovulation, the preovulatory follicles failed to rupture and the number of eggs released from the mutant ovaries declined drastically. Gene expression analysis identified endothelin-2, interleukin-6, and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase II as novel targets of regulation by PPARγ in the ovary. Our studies also suggested that cycloxygenase 2-derived metabolites of long-chain fatty acids function as endogenous activating ligands of PPARγ in the preovulatory follicles. Collectively, these studies revealed that PPARγ is a key mediator of the biological actions of PR in the granulosa cells and activation of its downstream pathways critically controls ovulation.

scholarly journals Microtubule–microtubule sliding by kinesin-1 is essential for normal cytoplasmic streaming in Drosophila oocytes

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (34) ◽  
pp. E4995-E5004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Lu ◽  
Michael Winding ◽  
Margot Lakonishok ◽  
Jill Wildonger ◽  
Vladimir I. Gelfand
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Streaming ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Nurse Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Actin Cortex ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
Two Populations

Cytoplasmic streaming in Drosophila oocytes is a microtubule-based bulk cytoplasmic movement. Streaming efficiently circulates and localizes mRNAs and proteins deposited by the nurse cells across the oocyte. This movement is driven by kinesin-1, a major microtubule motor. Recently, we have shown that kinesin-1 heavy chain (KHC) can transport one microtubule on another microtubule, thus driving microtubule–microtubule sliding in multiple cell types. To study the role of microtubule sliding in oocyte cytoplasmic streaming, we used a Khc mutant that is deficient in microtubule sliding but able to transport a majority of cargoes. We demonstrated that streaming is reduced by genomic replacement of wild-type Khc with this sliding-deficient mutant. Streaming can be fully rescued by wild-type KHC and partially rescued by a chimeric motor that cannot move organelles but is active in microtubule sliding. Consistent with these data, we identified two populations of microtubules in fast-streaming oocytes: a network of stable microtubules anchored to the actin cortex and free cytoplasmic microtubules that moved in the ooplasm. We further demonstrated that the reduced streaming in sliding-deficient oocytes resulted in posterior determination defects. Together, we propose that kinesin-1 slides free cytoplasmic microtubules against cortically immobilized microtubules, generating forces that contribute to cytoplasmic streaming and are essential for the refinement of posterior determinants.

Expression and function of brain-derived neurotrophin factor and its receptor, TrkB, in ovarian follicles from the domestic hen (Gallus gallus domesticus)

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (12) ◽  
pp. 2087-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jensen ◽  
A. L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cell ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Cell Layer ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
Bdnf Mrna ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Layer Increase ◽  
Theca Interna ◽  
And Function

SUMMARY This report summarizes patterns of mRNA expression for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) together with its high-affinity neurotrophin receptor trkB within the hen ovary during follicle development, describes hormonal mechanisms for the regulation of trkB gene expression and provides preliminary evidence for a novel function for BDNF-mediated TrkB signaling within the granulosa layer. Levels of BDNF mRNA in the thecal layer and of trkB mRNA within the granulosa cell layer increase coincident with entrance of the follicle into the preovulatory hierarchy. Localization of the BDNF mRNA transcript correlates with expression of BDNF protein within the theca interna of preovulatory follicles, while localization of trkB mRNA and protein occurs extensively within the granulosa cell layer of preovulatory follicles. This pattern of expression suggests a paracrine relationship between theca and granulosa cells for BDNF signaling via TrkB. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and gonadotropin treatments stimulate increases in levels of trkB mRNA within cultured granulosa cells derived from both prehierarchal and preovulatory follicles, and this response is increased by co-treatment with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Finally, BDNF treatment of cultured granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles results in a modest, but significant, reduction in basal progesterone production, whereas this effect was reversed by k252a, an inhibitor of Trk kinase activity. These results support the proposals that BDNF functions as a paracrine signal in hen granulosa cells and that its physiological functions may include the modulation of steroidogenesis.

scholarly journals Generation of a Quantitative Luciferase Reporter for Sox9 SUMOylation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1274
Author(s):  
Hideka Saotome ◽  
Atsumi Ito ◽  
Atsushi Kubo ◽  
Masafumi Inui
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Sox9 Activity ◽  
Reporter Signal

Sox9 is a master transcription factor for chondrogenesis, which is essential for chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance. Sox9 activity is regulated by multiple layers, including post-translational modifications, such as SUMOylation. A detection method for visualizing the SUMOylation in live cells is required to fully understand the role of Sox9 SUMOylation. In this study, we generated a quantitative reporter for Sox9 SUMOylation that is based on the NanoBiT system. The simultaneous expression of Sox9 and SUMO1 constructs that are conjugated with NanoBiT fragments in HEK293T cells induced luciferase activity in SUMOylation target residue of Sox9-dependent manner. Furthermore, the reporter signal could be detected from both cell lysates and live cells. The signal level of our reporter responded to the co-expression of SUMOylation or deSUMOylation enzymes by several fold, showing dynamic potency of the reporter. The reporter was active in multiple cell types, including ATDC5 cells, which have chondrogenic potential. Finally, using this reporter, we revealed a extracellular signal conditions that can increase the amount of SUMOylated Sox9. In summary, we generated a novel reporter that was capable of quantitatively visualizing the Sox9-SUMOylation level in live cells. This reporter will be useful for understanding the dynamism of Sox9 regulation during chondrogenesis.

scholarly journals Nitric Oxide Transiently Converts Synaptic Inhibition to Excitation in Retinal Amacrine Cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 2866-2877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Hoffpauir ◽  
Emily McMains ◽  
Evanna Gleason
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Positive Shift ◽  
Gabaergic Synapses ◽  
Multiple Cell

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by multiple cell types in the vertebrate retina, including amacrine cells. We investigate the role of NO in the modulation of synaptic function using a culture system containing identified retinal amacrine cells. We find that moderate concentrations of NO alter GABAA receptor function to produce an enhancement of the GABA-gated current. Higher concentrations of NO also enhance GABA-gated currents, but this enhancement is primarily due to a substantial positive shift in the reversal potential of the current. Several pieces of evidence, including a similar effect on glycine-gated currents, indicate that the positive shift is due to an increase in cytosolic Cl−. This change in the chloride distribution is especially significant because it can invert the sign of GABA- and glycine-gated voltage responses. Furthermore, current- and voltage-clamp recordings from synaptic pairs of GABAergic amacrine cells demonstrate that NO transiently converts signaling at GABAergic synapses from inhibition to excitation. Persistence of the NO-induced shift in ECl− in the absence of extracellular Cl− indicates that the increase in cytosolic Cl− is due to release of Cl− from an internal store. An NO-dependent release of Cl− from an internal store is also demonstrated for rat hippocampal neurons indicating that this mechanism is not restricted to the avian retina. Thus signaling in the CNS can be fundamentally altered by an NO-dependent mobilization of an internal Cl− store.

scholarly journals Female Fertility Is Reduced in Mice Lacking Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase IV**This work was supported by an NIH Medical Scientist Training Program award (to J.Y.W.) and NIH Grants HD-07503 (to A.R.M.) and HD-1272 (to J.S.R.)

Endocrinology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 141 (12) ◽  
pp. 4777-4783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Y. Wu ◽  
Ignacio J. Gonzalez-Robayna ◽  
JoAnne S. Richards ◽  
Anthony R. Means
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Medical Scientist ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Medical Scientist Training Program

Abstract Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is a serine/threonine protein kinase with limited tissue distribution. CaMKIV is highly expressed in the testis, where it is found in transcriptionally inactive elongating spermatids. We have recently generated mice deficient in CaMKIV. In the absence of CaMKIV, the exchange of sperm nuclear basic proteins in male spermatids is impaired, resulting in male infertility secondary to defective spermiogenesis. The involvement of CaMKIV in female fertility has not been addressed. Here we report that female fertility is markedly reduced in CaMKIV-deficient mice due to impaired follicular development and ovulation. CaMKIV is expressed in the ovary, where it is localized in granulosa cells. We further find that in cultured granulosa cells, CaMKIV expression and subcellular localization are hormonally regulated. As granulosa cells differentiate, CaMKIV levels decrease and the kinase translocates from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Our results demonstrate a critical role for CaMKIV in female reproduction and point to a potential function in granulosa cell differentiation.

scholarly journals Rapid and sustained hematopoietic recovery in lethally irradiated mice transplanted with purified Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ hematopoietic stem cells

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (12) ◽  
pp. 3758-3779 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Uchida ◽  
HL Aguila ◽  
WH Fleming ◽  
L Jerabek ◽  
IL Weissman
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Dose Dependence ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Hematopoietic Recovery

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are believed to play a critical role in the sustained repopulation of all blood cells after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, understanding the role of HSCs versus other hematopoietic cells in the quantitative reconstitution of various blood cell types has awaited methods to isolate HSCs. A candidate population of mouse HSCs, Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ cells, was isolated several years ago and, recently, this population has been shown to be the only population of BM cells that contains HSCs in C57BL/Ka-Thy-1.1 mice. As few as 100 of these cells can radioprotect 95% to 100% of irradiated mice, resulting long-term multilineage reconstitution. In this study, we examined the reconstitution potential of irradiated mice transplanted with purified Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ BM cells. Donor-derived peripheral blood (PB) white blood cells were detected as early as day 9 or 10 when 100 to 1,000 Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ cells were used, with minor dose-dependent differences. The reappearance of platelets by day 14 and thereafter was also seen at all HSC doses (100 to 1,000 cells), with a slight dose-dependence. All studied HSC doses also allowed RBC levels to recover, although at the 100 cell dose a delay in hematocrit recovery was observed at day 14. When irradiated mice were transplanted with 500 Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ cells compared with 1 x 10(6) BM cells (the equivalent amount of cells that contain 500 Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ cells as well as progenitor and mature cells), very little difference in the kinetics of recovery of PB, white blood cells, platelets, and hematocrit was observed. Surprisingly, even when 200 Thy1.1lo Lin-Sca- 1+ cells were mixed with 4 x 10(5) Sca-1- BM cells in a competitive repopulation assay, most of the early (days 11 and 14) PB myeloid cells were derived from the HSC genotype, indicating the superiority of the Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ cells over Sca-1- cells even in the early phases of myeloid reconstitution. Within the Thy-1.1lo Lin-Sca-1+ population, the Rhodamine 123 (Rh123)hi subset dominates in PB myeloid reconstitution at 10 to 14 days, only to be overtaken by the Rh123lo subset at 3 weeks and thereafter. These findings indicate that HSCs can account for the early phase of hematopoietic recovery, as well as sustained hematopoiesis, and raise questions about the role of non-HSC BM populations in the setting of BMT.

scholarly journals NAD+-Dependent Deacetylase Hst1p Controls Biosynthesis and Cellular NAD+ Levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (19) ◽  
pp. 7044-7054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Bedalov ◽  
Maki Hirao ◽  
Jeffrey Posakony ◽  
Melisa Nelson ◽  
Julian A. Simon
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Salvage Pathway ◽  
De Novo Synthesis ◽  
Array Analysis ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
New Protein

ABSTRACT Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) performs key roles in electron transport reactions, as a substrate for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases. In the latter two processes, NAD+ is consumed and converted to ADP-ribose and nicotinamide. NAD+ levels can be maintained by regeneration of NAD+ from nicotinamide via a salvage pathway or by de novo synthesis of NAD+ from tryptophan. Both pathways are conserved from yeast to humans. We describe a critical role of the NAD+-dependent deacetylase Hst1p as a sensor of NAD+ levels and regulator of NAD+ biosynthesis. Using transcript arrays, we show that low NAD+ states specifically induce the de novo NAD+ biosynthesis genes while the genes in the salvage pathway remain unaffected. The NAD+-dependent deacetylase activity of Hst1p represses de novo NAD+ biosynthesis genes in the absence of new protein synthesis, suggesting a direct effect. The known Hst1p binding partner, Sum1p, is present at promoters of highly inducible NAD+ biosynthesis genes. The removal of HST1-mediated repression of the NAD+ de novo biosynthesis pathway leads to increased cellular NAD+ levels. Transcript array analysis shows that reduction in cellular NAD+ levels preferentially affects Hst1p-regulated genes in comparison to genes regulated with other NAD+-dependent deacetylases (Sir2p, Hst2p, Hst3p, and Hst4p). In vitro experiments demonstrate that Hst1p has relatively low affinity toward NAD+ in comparison to other NAD+-dependent enzymes. These findings suggest that Hst1p serves as a cellular NAD+ sensor that monitors and regulates cellular NAD+ levels.

scholarly journals Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Dependent Up-Regulation of Genes Responsible for Estrogen Sulfoconjugation and Export in Granulosa Cells of Luteinizing Preovulatory Follicles

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (9) ◽  
pp. 4222-4233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy A. Brown ◽  
Monique Doré ◽  
Jacques G. Lussier ◽  
Jean Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Cell Layer ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Steady State Levels ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Theca Interna

Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) is responsible for the sulfoconjugation of estrogens, thereby changing their physical properties and preventing their action via the estrogen receptors. These sulfoconjugated steroids no longer diffuse freely across the lipid bilayer; instead, they are exported by members of the ATP-binding cassette family, such as ABCC1. The objective of this study was to investigate the regulation of EST and ABCC1 during human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced ovulation/luteinization. The transcripts for EST and ABCC1 were cloned by RT-PCR, and the regulation of their mRNAs was studied in preovulatory follicles obtained during estrus at 0, 12, 24, 30, 33, 36, and 39 h after hCG. Results obtained from RT-PCR/Southern blot analyses showed significant changes in steady-state levels of both EST and ABCC1 mRNA after hCG treatment (P < 0.05). In granulosa cells, a significant increase in EST transcript was observed 30–39 h after hCG. Similarly, ABCC1 transcript levels were induced in granulosa cells 12–39 h after hCG. In contrast, no significant changes in either EST or ABCC1 were detected in theca interna samples after hCG. The increase in EST and ABCC1 transcripts observed in granulosa cells was reflected in preparations of intact follicle walls, suggesting that the granulosa cell layer contributes the majority of EST and ABCC1 expression in preovulatory follicles. The present study demonstrates that follicular luteinization is accompanied not only by a decrease in 17β-estradiol biosynthesis but also by an increase in expression of genes responsible for estrogen inactivation and elimination from granulosa cells, such as EST and ABCC1, respectively.

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