title: Small GTPases are involved in sprout formation in human granulosa lutein cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The corpus luteum (CL), develops from the ruptured follicle after gonadotropin stimulation. Based on intracellular reorganization of the cytoskeleton an human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) dependent sprouting and migration of luteinizing granulosa cells (LGCs) and endothelial cells is observed. Rho-GTPases are shown to be key regulators of cytoskeletal restructuring. In the present study we analyzed the role of Rho-GTPases in the sprouting activity of LGCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Rho-GTPase-inhibitors Toxin A and -B and the Cdc42-activator Bradykinin in a LGC-spheroid sprouting assay to determine the effect of these modulators in LGCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Toxin A and Toxin B reduces sprout formation in LGC spheroids. However, the reduction is less than in hCG treated cells. The usage of Bradykinin demonstrates both, a reduction of sprouts in untreated spheroids and an increase of sprouting in previous hCG treated spheroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented results let us suggest that small Rho-GTPases may regulate the sprouting activity of LGCs after stimulation by hCG and that this mechanism may play a role in CL formation.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Maximilian B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daube
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sator
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pietrowski
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins