Extensive vascularization of developing mouse ovaries revealed by caveolin-1 expression.
Expression screening for genes preferentially expressed in mouse fetal ovaries relative to testes identified Cav-1 as a candidate female-specific gene. Cav-1 encodes caveolin-1, a component of the cell membrane invaginations known as caveolae, which are involved in lipid regulation and signal transduction. In situ hybridization revealed high levels of Cav-1 mRNA in developing ovaries, compared with moderate or low levels in testes. Analysis of caveolin-1 protein distribution by immunofluorescence showed this difference to be due to the development of a dense and complex vascular network in the developing ovary. These observations point to a higher degree of differentiation and organization of the early stage mammalian ovary than previously suspected.
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Monica
M
Bullejos
Jo
J
Bowles
Peter
P
Koopman
D000818:Animals; D051242:Caveolin 1; D022461:Caveolins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
C495541:Cav1 protein, mouse; D051242:Caveolin 1; D022461:Caveolins; D012333:RNA, Messenger