title: Impact of extracellular matrix remodeling on ovulation and the folliculo-luteal transition.
abstract: Follicular rupture and the transformation of an estrogenic preovulatory follicle into a highly vascularized corpus luteum capable of producing large quantities of progesterone are required for the establishment of pregnancy. These processes are dependent upon the precise remodeling of the ovarian extracellular matrix (ECM). Such remodeling occurs both at the level of synthesis and/or proteolytic degradation of ECM proteins. Enzymes known to have important roles in ovarian ECM remodeling include matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen activators/plasmin, and ADAMTS ( ADisintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombo Spondin-like motifs). Each of the preceding proteases has corresponding inhibitors capable of regulating proteolytic activity temporally and spatially. This review focuses on recent contributions to our understanding of ovarian ECM remodeling that have furthered our appreciation of the role of proteinases in ovulation and the differentiation of follicular cells into the luteal phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0293, USA. tecurry@uky.edu
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases