title: Ovulation: new factors that prepare the oocyte for fertilization.
abstract: Ovulation is a complex LH-induced process that allows the release of a fertilizable oocyte. Critical to ovulation is the proper formation of an extracellular hyaluronan (HA) rich matrix by the cumulus oocyte complex (COC), a process called expansion. During expansion genes associated matrix formation such as hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS-2) are induced rapidly in COCs. To stabilize the long hyaluronan polymers, various HA binding proteins are covalently (or non-covalently) linked with hyaluronan. Some of the hyaluronan binding factors that have been identified in the COC matrix are the serum derived factor inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor (IalphaI) and tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6). The latter is dependent on the induction in cumulus cells of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) the limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins (primarily PGE) that bind the PG receptor subtype EP2, leading to increased cAMP. TSG-6 and the heavy chains of I(alpha)I interact with each other and HA in a manner that is critical for the formation and/or stabilization of the expanded matrix. Another hyaluronan binding component of the expanded COC is the proteoglycan versican. Versican is induced by the LH surge and is a preferred substrate of the protease, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin like repeats (ADAMTS-1), which co-localizes with versican and is coordinately induced in granulosa cells and COCs of ovulating follicles by LH and the progesterone receptor (PR). Mice null for COX-2 and EP2 fail to ovulate and exhibit impaired COC expression of TSG-6. Progesterone receptor knockout (PRKO) mice are also anovulatory and present impaired expression of ADAMTS-1. Thus, HA binding proteins and associated factors appear to be essential components of the matrix that is obligatory for release of the COCs through the ovulation pore.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. joanner@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Joanne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071097:ADAMTS1 Protein; D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019483:Disintegrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053675:Versicans
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D019483:Disintegrins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; C513057:Tnfaip6 protein, mouse; C508322:VCAN protein, human; C508323:Vcan protein, mouse; D053675:Versicans; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071097:ADAMTS1 Protein; C486323:Adamts1 protein, mouse; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases