title: Molecular control of oocyte meiotic arrest and resumption.
abstract: Mammalian oocytes within Graafian follicles are arrested at prophase I by factors from surrounding follicle cells, and resume meiosis after an LH surge from the pituitary. The maintenance of meiotic arrest requires high levels of cAMP, resulting from G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 3 and/or GPR12 activation of adenylyl cyclase within the oocyte. Recent studies indicate that natriuretic peptide precursor C (NPPC), acting via its cognate receptor NPR2, increases cGMP levels in granulosa cells; the cGMP then diffuses into oocytes and inhibits phosphodiesterase 3A activity and cAMP hydrolysis. Meiotic resumption is induced by LH via the generation of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factors in mural granulosa cells that activate EGF receptors in cumulus cells. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the actions of these growth factors on oocyte maturation are unclear. Herein we summarise the regulatory functions of NPPC and NPR2 in maintaining oocyte meiotic arrest and discuss the possibility that LH could stimulate meiotic resumption by decreasing NPPC content and NPR2 activity.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Guoliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Meijia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals; D008540:Meiosis; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D017461:Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000099242:Atrial Natriuretic Factor Receptor B
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D011498:Protein Precursors; D017461:Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D000099242:Atrial Natriuretic Factor Receptor B