title: Expression and localization of activin receptors, Smads, and beta glycan to the postnatal rat ovary.
abstract: Despite understanding the molecular basis of activin/TGF beta and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, this study is the first to characterize multiple, sequential elements of these pathways in the ovary concurrently. The expression of activin/BMP receptor, Smad, and beta glycan mRNAs by postnatal rat ovaries were investigated by real-time PCR. Activin/BMP receptors (ActRIA, ActRIB, ActRIIA, and ActRIIB), beta glycan, and Smad 1-8 mRNAs were expressed by the ovary. Activin receptor and Smad 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 mRNAs declined up to 4-fold between postnatal d 4-8, coinciding with secondary follicle formation. The emergence of antral follicles (postnatal d 12) saw ActRIA, ActRIIB, and Smad 2 mRNA expression return to d 4 levels, whereas ActRIB, ActRIIA, and Smads 1, 4, 5, and 7 remained at lower levels. beta glycan mRNA levels increased 2-fold between d 8 and 12, suggesting expression by the developing theca. Smad 3, 6, and 8 mRNAs were unchanged. Activin receptor and Smad proteins were present in oocytes at all stages of follicular development; granulosa cells of primary-antral follicles, and theca cells. beta glycan protein was present in oocytes, granulosa cells, and theca cells at all stages of folliculogenesis. The colocalization of receptors and Smads supports the notion that activin/TGF beta and BMP signaling pathways are functional in the cellular compartments of the follicle.
authors.affiliation: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. ann.drummond@med.monash.edu
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Minh Tan
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Jean-Francois
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ethier
authors.forename: Mitzi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: Jock K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Findlay
mesh_terms: D029404:Activin Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015534:Trans-Activators; C071736:betaglycan; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D029404:Activin Receptors