title: FSH modulatory effect on human granulosa cells: a gene-protein candidate for gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor.
abstract: Previous evidence indicates a homology of gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF) to the carboxyl terminal of human serum albumin (HSA) and the ability of human granulosa cells to produce mRNA transcripts corresponding to this fragment, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study investigated the role of FSH in vitro in the expression of the carboxyl terminal of HSA by human luteinized granulosa cells. Cells were cultured on poly-l-lysine-coated microscope slides in the absence or presence of 10 ng/ml FSH, followed by in-situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. In the presence of FSH, mRNA transcripts corresponding to the carboxyl terminal of the HSA gene and corresponding protein could be detected in comparable intensity to that seen by hepatic HepG2 cells (positive control). Significantly lower expression was detected in granulosa cells cultured without FSH addition (P<0.01), but no expression was detected in HeLa cells. These results demonstrate for the first time that FSH stimulates the expression of the carboxyl terminal fragment of the HSA gene and corresponding protein in human luteinized granulosa cells. Therefore, the carboxyl terminal of HSA has a functional role in the ovary and this further supports the notion that this HSA fragment is a GnSAF-bioactive entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Thessalia, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karligiotou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kollia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papaggeli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vagena
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dafopoulos
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Messinis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012709:Serum Albumin; C080538:attenuin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone