EGF-like growth factors as mediators of LH action in the ovulatory follicle.
Before ovulation in mammals, a cascade of events resembling an inflammatory and/or tissue remodeling process is triggered by luteinizing hormone (LH) in the ovarian follicle. Many LH effects, however, are thought to be indirect because of the restricted expression of its receptor. Here, we demonstrate that LH stimulation induces the transient and sequential expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family members amphiregulin, epiregulin, and beta-cellulin. Incubation of follicles with these growth factors recapitulates the morphological and biochemical events triggered by LH, including cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation. Thus, these EGF-related growth factors are paracrine mediators that propagate the LH signal throughout the follicle.
Park
Jy-Young
JY
Division of Reproductive Biology and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Su
You-Qiang
YQ
Ariga
Miyako
M
Law
Evelyn
E
Jin
S-L Catherine
SL
Conti
Marco
M
D066258:Amphiregulin; D000818:Animals; D066259:Betacellulin; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D066260:Epiregulin; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D066258:Amphiregulin; C587849:Areg protein, mouse; D066259:Betacellulin; C587852:Btc protein, mouse; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D066260:Epiregulin; C587881:Ereg protein, mouse; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D066246:ErbB Receptors