Differential expression of four connexin genes, Cx-26, Cx-30.3, Cx-32, and Cx-43, in the porcine ovarian follicle.
Connexin genes expressed in porcine ovaries were isolated by reverse transcription-PCR, and the expression of four connexin genes (Cx-43, -32, -30.3, and -26) was detected by in situ hybridization in internal and surrounding compartments of large antral follicles. Cx-43 and Cx-30.3 were expressed in the theca interna as well as in the granulosa cell compartment. However, two zones were observed in the theca interna by probing with Cx-43; about a quarter of the region close to the lamina basalis appeared devoid of Cx-43 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein as well. Cx-30.3, in contrast, seemed to be expressed ubiquitously in these two compartments. Cx-26 and Cx-32 were expressed only in the thecal cells. Both Cx-43 and -30.3 also gave positive signals in the cumulus cells to the same extent as obtained in the granulosa cells with the respective probes, whereas the expression of Cx-32 and -26 was undetectable. Cx-43 mRNA drastically decreased in the functioning stage of the corpus luteum, whereas Cx-30.3 mRNA increased significantly in the early stage of luteinization in the estrus cycles. These results suggest that Cx-43 is not the only gap junction protein to be expressed in the ovarian follicle; other proteins, such as Cx-32, -30.3, and -26 seem to be expressed, and their expressions are regulated differently.
Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.
K
K
Itahana
Y
Y
Morikazu
T
T
Takeya
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D000072259:Connexin 26; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013552:Swine; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein
D000072259:Connexin 26; D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein; C076275:connexin 30.3