The ovarian gap junction protein connexin43: regulation by gonadotropins.
The major role of the ovarian follicle is the timely production of a mature fertilizable oocyte. This mission is accomplished by a gonadotropin-regulated, gap junction-mediated alteration between established and interrupted cell-cell communication. Recent studies have revealed that gonadotropin action on ovarian gap junctions is elicited at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. Here, we review the existing information generated on the molecular mechanisms employed by the gonadotropins to elicit their effect on the ovarian gap junction protein Cx43.
Granot
Irit
I
IVF Unit, Dept Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
Dekel
Nava
N
D000818:Animals; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D018031:Connexin 43; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins