Distinct cellular localization and regulation of endothelin-1 and endothelin-converting enzyme-1 expression in the bovine corpus luteum: implications for luteolysis.
Endothelin-1 (ET)-1 within the corpus luteum (CL) is rapidly up-regulated during natural or PGF(2 alpha)-induced luteolysis; however, such an increase was not observed at early luteal stage, when the CL is refractory to PGF(2 alpha). The mature and active form of ET-1 is derived from the inactive intermediate peptide, big ET-1, by ET-converting enzyme (ECE)-1. This study therefore examined the developmental and cell-specific expression of ECE-1 in bovine CL. A significant, 4-fold, elevation in ECE-1 expression (mRNA and protein levels) occurred during the transition of the CL from early to midluteal phase. Analysis using in-situ hybridization and enriched luteal cell subpopulations showed that both steroidogenic and endothelial cells of the CL expressed high levels of ECE-1 mRNA; prepro ET-1 mRNA, on the other hand, was only expressed by resident endothelial cells. These data suggest that luteal parenchymal and endothelial cells may cooperate in the biosynthesis of mature bioactive ET-1. In the mature CL, ECE-1 mRNA increase occurred both in steroidogenic and endothelial cells and was accompanied by a significant rise in ET-1 peptide. However, in contrast to ECE-1, prepro ET-1 mRNA levels were similar in early and midluteal-phase CL. Low ECE-1 levels during the early luteal phase, restricting the production of active ET-1, may explain why the immature CL is able to withstand PGF(2 alpha)-induced luteolysis.
Levy
N
N
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Gordin
M
M
Mamluk
R
R
Yanagisawa
M
M
Smith
M F
MF
Hampton
J H
JH
Meidan
R
R
D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019332:Endothelin-1; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D016232:Endothelins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000502:physiology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes