Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-4, but not FGFR-3 is expressed in the pregnant ovary.
The intraovarian mechanisms for follicle recruitment, growth, maturation, and ovulation are not well understood. The data suggest that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is expressed in granulosa and theca cells of growing and mature follicles and in luteal cells during pregnancy. Exogenous FGF-2 modulates steroidogenesis, stimulates tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and induces germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in cultured follicles. Previously, we have reported that another FGF ligand, FGF-4, is expressed in ovulated mouse oocytes. Two studies have examined the expression of receptors (FGFR) for FGF ligands in the ovary. These prior reports have been limited to FGFR-1, one of the four isoforms that are variably expressed in adult mammalian tissues. This study evaluates FGFR-4 and FGFR-3 mRNA expression in the ovary. Granulosa cells from several follicular stages express the receptor for FGFR-4 mRNA as assayed by in situ hybridization. FGFR-4 mRNA is not expressed in theca cells or the oocyte. FGFR-3 mRNA is not detected in the ovary by in situ hybridization. These results suggest that FGFR-4 may play a role in mediating the effects of FGF ligands in follicular development in the ovary.
Puscheck
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EE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Prentice Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Patel
Y
Y
Rappolee
D A
DA
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; C496366:Fgfr3 protein, mouse; C496372:Fgfr4 protein, mouse; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4