title: Expression of c-kit messenger ribonucleic acid in human oocyte and presence of soluble c-kit in follicular fluid.
abstract: The c-kit protooncogene receptor and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) regulate the proliferation and survival of germ cells as well as hematopoietic cells and melanocytes. In adult rodent ovary, c-kit and SCF play important roles in follicular development. However, little information about c-kit in the human ovary is available. In this study, we examined the expressions of c-kit messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and c-kit protein in human oocytes, granulosa cells, and follicular fluid obtained from the women who underwent in vitro fertilization or laparoscopic examination. Expression of c-kit mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the oocytes and granulosa cells. Western blot analysis showed the presence of soluble c-kit protein in the follicular fluid, and lower levels of c-kit protein were detected in the granulosa cells and the supernatant of granulosa cell cultures. The concentration of soluble c-kit in follicular fluid measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed significant correlation with fluid volume and follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, and androstenedione. In summary, we found for the first time the presence of c-kit mRNA and soluble c-kit protein in human oocytes and follicular fluid. The results suggested that in human ovary, c-kit may play an important role in follicular development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsunari
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Onohara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwabe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terakawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012995:Solubility; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit