title: Differences in splicing of mRNA encoding LH receptor in theca cells according to breeding season in ewes.
abstract: Splice variants of mRNA encoding the LH receptor (LHR) during follicular development were characterized in cyclic and non-cyclic ewes. Granulosa and theca cells were collected from individual follicles. After amplification by RT-PCR of a region situated between exon 9 and exon 11 of the LHR gene, three distinct bands, LHR1 (full length), LHR2 (deletion of exon 10), LHR3 (deletion of 262 bp in exon 11), were observed in the granulosa and theca cells of ovine antral follicles of various sizes (2.5-6.0 mm). Expression of LHR mRNA in theca cells varied with the annual cycle of reproduction (P < 0.001), and was highly expressed in all classes of follicle collected from anoestrous ewes (1.3 +/- 0.1, n = 8 in small follicles; 1.8 +/- 0.2, n = 8 in medium follicles; 1.7 +/- 0.3, n = 4 in large follicles; arbitrary units) compared with follicles collected from oestrous ewes (0.19 +/- 0.06, n = 8 in small follicles; 0.2 +/- 0.04, n = 9 in medium follicles; 0.18 +/- 0.04, n = 5 in large follicles). During the breeding season, no differences in the relative expression of the different splice variants were observed according to follicle size. In contrast, during anoestrus, LHR3 mRNA was significantly more abundant in large (6.0-6.5 mm) and medium (4.0-5.5 mm) than it was in small (2.5-3.5 mm) follicles. These results indicate that RNA alternative splicing plays a role in the seasonal and physiological control of LH receptor expression in theca cells.
authors.affiliation: Unité Récepteurs et Communication Cellulaire, INRA Biotechnologies, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France. latifa.abdennebi@inserm.ipsc.u-psud.fr
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abdennebi
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lesport
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Remy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grebert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pisselet
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monniaux
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salesse
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern / Q000379:methods; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH