title: Hormonal regulation of c-KIT receptor and its ligand: implications for human infertility?
abstract: The c-KIT, a tyrosine kinase receptor, and its ligand the stem cell factor (SCF) play an important role in the production of male and female gametes. The interaction of SCF with c-KIT is required for germ cell survival and growth, and abnormalities in the activity of the SCF/c-KIT system have been associated with human infertility. Recently, it was demonstrated that gonadotropic and sex steroid hormones, among others, regulate the expression of SCF and c-KIT in testicular and ovarian cells. Therefore, the hormonal (de)regulation of SCF/c-KIT system in the testis and ovary may be a cause underpinning infertility. In the present review, we will discuss the effects of hormones modulating the expression levels of SCF and c-KIT in the human gonads. In addition, the implications of hormonal regulation of SCF/c-KIT system for germ cell development and fertility will be highlighted.
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marília I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Figueira
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cláudio J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: ssocorro@fcsaude.ubi.pt.
authors.forename: Sílvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Socorro
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D008024:Ligands; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
keywords: Androgens; c-KIT; estrogens; gonadotropins; infertility