The role of bone morphogenetic proteins in ovarian function.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) represent the largest subclass of growth factors in the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. BMPs have proven to be multifunctional regulators of a wide variety of biological processes in numerous types of cell and tissue. The role of inhibins, activins and TGF-betas (which also belong to the TGF-beta superfamily) in reproduction has been studied extensively over the last 15 years. However, there were no reports on the role of BMPs in the mammalian ovary until 1999 when we reported an intrinsic ovarian BMP system replete with BMP ligands, receptors and novel biological functions. Since this report it has become clear that the BMP system plays an important role in the regulation of ovarian function, evidenced by the ability of BMPs to control granulosa cell proliferation and cytodifferentiation, as well as oocyte development. The physiological relevance of the BMP system has recently been highlighted by the discovery that genetic mutations in the BMP-15 ligand or the BMP type IB receptor lead to critical aberrations in folliculogenesis and ovulation. This review provides a current overview of the rapidly emerging field of the BMP system in mammalian ovarian function.
Shimasaki
S
S
Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, USA. sshimasaki@ucsd.edu
Moore
R K
RK
Erickson
G F
GF
Otsuka
F
F
D000818:Animals; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
C525901:BMP15 protein, human; C525902:Bmp15 protein, mouse; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; C525897:GDF9 protein, human; C525898:Gdf9 protein, mouse; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C498214:BMPR1B protein, human; C498215:Bmpr1b protein, mouse; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I