title: WNT4 is expressed in human fetal and adult ovaries and its signaling contributes to ovarian cell survival.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
authors: Minna
authors: M
authors: Jääskeläinen
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Naillat
authors: Helka
authors: H
authors: Parviainen
authors: Mikko
authors: M
authors: Anttonen
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Heikinheimo
authors: Annikki
authors: A
authors: Liakka
authors: Roxana
authors: R
authors: Ola
authors: Seppo
authors: S
authors: Vainio
authors: Tommi E
authors: TE
authors: Vaskivuo
authors: Juha S
authors: JS
authors: Tapanainen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C555581:WNT4 protein, human; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D060528:Wnt4 Protein; C555582:Wnt4 protein, mouse