WNT4 is expressed in human fetal and adult ovaries and its signaling contributes to ovarian cell survival.
WNT4 plays an important role in female sexual development and ovarian function. WNT4-deficiency leads disturbed development of the internal genitalia in mouse and human, and to a dramatic reduction of mouse oocytes. However, the expression and role of WNT4 in human ovaries is yet unknown. The expression of WNT4 mRNA and protein was studied in human adult and fetal ovaries (gestational ages 12-41 weeks), and the role of WNT4 in oocyte apoptosis was investigated in WNT4-deficient mice. WNT4 mRNA and protein were present in human ovaries throughout fetal development and in different follicular stages in adult ovaries. Compared with wild-type mice, WNT4-deficient mice had a markedly enhanced rate of oocyte apoptosis, with the highest values at gestational ages of 14.5 and 16.5 days post-coitum. The current results support a view that WNT4 may have a role in oocyte selection and follicle formation and maturation in human ovaries.
Jääskeläinen
Minna
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen
Renata
R
Naillat
Florence
F
Parviainen
Helka
H
Anttonen
Mikko
M
Heikinheimo
Markku
M
Liakka
Annikki
A
Ola
Roxana
R
Vainio
Seppo
S
Vaskivuo
Tommi E
TE
Tapanainen
Juha S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060528:Wnt4 Protein; D055815:Young Adult
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C555581:WNT4 protein, human; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D060528:Wnt4 Protein; C555582:Wnt4 protein, mouse