title: Changes in expression and localization of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in follicular granulosa cells during atresia in porcine ovaries.
abstract: Follicular selection predominantly depends on granulosa cell apoptosis in porcine ovaries, but the molecular mechanisms regulating the induction of apoptosis in granulosa cells during follicular selection remain incompletely understood. To determine the role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), which suppresses caspase-3, -7 and -9 activities and acts as an endogenous inhibitor of apoptotic cell death, in the regulation of granulosa cell apoptosis during follicular atresia, we examined the changes in the expression level and localization of XIAP mRNA and protein in granulosa cells during follicular atresia using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. High levels of XIAP mRNA and protein were noted in the granulosa cells of healthy follicles, and decreased levels were noted during follicular atresia. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that XIAP mRNA and protein were strongly expressed in the granulosa cells of healthy follicles, but negative/trace stainings were noted in those of atretic follicles. The present findings strongly indicate that XIAP is a candidate molecule which acts as an anti-apoptotic/pro-survival factor by inhibiting intracellular apoptosis signaling and is involved in the regulation of apoptosis in porcine granulosa cells.
authors.affiliation: Animal Resource Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Kasama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Akihisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Yasufumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Fuko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyano
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakamaki
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manabe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D005260:Female; D005496:Follicular Atresia / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein