Gelatinase A and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 are responsible for follicle rupture during ovulation in the medaka.
Identification of the hydrolytic enzymes involved in follicle rupture during vertebrate ovulation remains a central challenge for research in reproductive biology. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized approach to this problem by using an in vitro ovulation system in the medaka, Oryzias latipes, which is a small freshwater teleost. We found that follicle rupture in the medaka ovary involves the cooperation of at least three matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), together with the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2b protein. We determined the discrete roles of each of these proteins during follicle rupture. Our results indicated that gelatinase A induces the hydrolysis of type IV collagen constituting the basement membrane, membrane-type 2 MMP degrades type I collagen present in the theca cell layer, and MT1-MMP and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2b are involved in the production and regulation of gelatinase A. These findings will help clarify the mechanism of follicle wall degradation during ovulation in mammalian species.
Ogiwara
Katsueki
K
Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
Takano
Naoharu
N
Shinohara
Masakazu
M
Murakami
Masahiro
M
Takahashi
Takayuki
T
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015151:Immunoblotting; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009990:Oryzias / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013997:Time Factors
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D003094:Collagen; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2