title: Uncoupling protein 2 expression affects androgen synthesis in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: The roles of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) on the androgen synthesis of granulosa cells derived from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and normal subjects were explored. Primary human granulosa cells from 18 patients who received in vitro fertilization (IVF) were examined; nine patients had PCOS with hyperandrogenism. Primary cultures were treated with genipin, a proton leak inhibitor, guanosine diphosphate (GDP), an UCP inhibitor, and triiodothyronine (T3), an inducer of UCP gene expression. Mitochondrial membrane potential was determined using the JC-1 assay. T3 induced P450scc and UCP2 expressions and testosterone synthesis in both normal and PCOS granulosa cells. Their expressions in response to T3 treatments were correlated in the PCOS group. Differences in testosterone synthesis were observed between normal and PCOS cells in response to genipin. Increased mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in response to genipin and GDP; while T3 decreased it. Increased ovarian UCP2 expression in response to T3 treatment in PCOS may alter pregnenolone synthesis by influencing P450scc expression, thus altering testosterone production. Further in vivo studies are necessary to fully elucidate the role of UCP2 in the hyperandrogenism commonly observed in PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou General Clinical College of Fujian Medical University, East Hospital of Xiamen University, No. 156 Xi'erhuan North Road, Fuzhou, 350025, Fujian, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Fu-Qi
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Wu-Jian
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Li-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Ling-Yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D039823:Iridoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D039823:Iridoids; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate; D013739:Testosterone; C007834:genipin; D001141:Aromatase