title: Expression and localization of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in the porcine ovary.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to investigate the temporal and spatial expression of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins, the downstream signaling molecules of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, in the porcine ovary. Cellular localization of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins was examined using immunohistochemistry. The specificity of the antibodies was examined using Western blot assay. Western blot analyses demonstrated that 52kDa Smad2 and 60kDa Smad4 proteins were expressed in the porcine ovary. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Smad2 and Smad4 were widely expressed in the porcine ovary, mainly localized in the oocyte, granulosa and thecal cells at different stages of folliculogenesis. Within the primordial and primary follicles, Smad2 and Smad4 showed strong staining in oocytes and follicular cells. In the antral follicle, strong staining was observed in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. These findings suggest that Smad2 and Smad4 may be a key regulator of follicular development and growth of oocytes in the porcine ovary.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Yajun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhenzhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China. Electronic address: junpinghe@aliyun.com.cn.
authors.forename: Junping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongquan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors.forename: Changsheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D051899:Smad2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051901:Smad4 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051899:Smad2 Protein; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
keywords: Ovary; Pig; Smad2; Smad4