title: Growth differentiation factor-9 signaling in the ovary.
abstract: Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is an oocyte-derived growth factor and a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. In GDF-9 null mice, follicle development is arrested at the primary stage and in vivo treatment with GDF-9 enhances the progression of primordial and primary follicles into small preantral follicles. In vitro, GDF-9 promotes granulosa cell proliferation but inhibits FSH-induced differentiation. GDF-9 also promotes the differentiation of theca cells in vivo and in vitro. GDF-9, like TGF-beta or activin, is a close member of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) family. GDF-9 likely initiates signaling by assembling two related but distinct types of receptors, both of which are serine/threonine kinases with a single transmembrane domain. The ligand-receptor binding activates intracellular transcription factors called Smads. In granulosa cells, Vitt et al. have shown that the BMP receptor type II is involved in GDF-9 signaling. The type I receptors and the Smad pathway for GDF-9 remain to be identified.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5317, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazerbourg
authors.forename: A J W
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hsueh
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C525901:BMP15 protein, human; C525902:Bmp15 protein, mouse; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; C525897:GDF9 protein, human; C525898:Gdf9 protein, mouse; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins