title: Small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein alpha is present in human ovaries but may not be differentially expressed in relation to polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the expression and function of small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein alpha (SGTA), an androgen receptor (AR) molecular chaperone, in human ovarian tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Examine the effect of SGTA on AR subcellular localization in granulosa tumor cells (KGN) and SGTA expression in ovarian tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Archived tissues from premenopausal women and granulosa cells from infertile women receiving assisted reproduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  AR subcellular localization and SGTA protein or mRNA levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SGTA and AR proteins were expressed in the cytoplasm of KGN cells and exposure to androgen stimulated AR nuclear localization. SGTA protein knockdown increased AR nuclear localization at low (0-0.1 nmol/L) but not high (1-10 nmol/L) concentrations of androgen hormone. In ovarian tissues, SGTA was localized to the cytoplasm of granulosa cells at all stages of folliculogenesis and in thecal cells of antral follicles. SGTA protein levels were similar when comparing primordial and primary follicles within core biopsies (n = 40) from women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Likewise, SGTA mRNA levels were not significantly different in granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles after hyperstimulation of women with and without PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SGTA is present in human ovaries and has the potential to modulate AR signalling, but it may not be differentially expressed in PCOS.
authors: Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Miriam S
authors: MS
authors: Butler
authors: Xing
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Ricciardelli
authors: Xiaoyan
authors: X
authors: Liang
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Norman
authors: Wayne D
authors: WD
authors: Tilley
authors: Theresa E
authors: TE
authors: Hickey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002681:China; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006106:Granulosa Cell Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D021381:Protein Transport; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013021:South Australia; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C410798:AR protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; C114575:SGTA protein, human; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone