title: Ovarian follicle populations of the rat express TGF-beta signalling pathways.
abstract: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily comprises more than 40 members, classified on the basis of structural similarity. These factors elicit a diverse range of cellular responses in insects, nematodes and vertebrates, via serine/threonine kinase receptors and intracellular Smad proteins, which when activated mediate gene transcription. Some members of the superfamily, notably activin, TGF-beta, GDF-9 and the bone morphogenetic proteins have been shown to influence ovarian function. Despite these actions, TGF-beta superfamily signalling pathways and specifically those within follicle population subtypes, have been poorly characterised in the ovary. We have shown that the ovary contains type I and II receptors and Smads, which enable it to transduce signals in response to TGF-beta superfamily members. It remains to be established however, as to which follicle subtypes these pathways are active in.
authors.affiliation: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 5152, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. ann.drummond@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Mitzi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: Minh Tan
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Jean-Francois
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ethier
authors.forename: Jock K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Findlay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta