title: Effects of growth differentiation factor 8 on steroidogenesis in human granulosa-lutein cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the biological role of growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) in the regulation of steroidogenesis in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro fertilization patients who provided hGL cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured hGL cells treated with recombinant human GDF8 for 24 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid production in primary cultures of hGL cells used to investigate the effects of GDF8 via specific mRNA and protein levels examined using real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively, and levels of estradiol and progesterone measured by enzyme immunoassays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extracts were prepared from cultured hGL cells after exposure to GDF8. The levels of cytochrome P450 aromatase (aromatase), the FSH receptor, and estradiol were increased, whereas steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, and progesterone levels were decreased after treatment with GDF8. In addition, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulated the production of aromatase/estradiol, and LH induced the production of StAR/progesterone. Furthermore, pretreatment with GDF8 for 24 hours enhanced the effects of FSH on aromatase/estradiol induction, whereas GDF8 suppressed the effects of LH on StAR/progesterone stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In human granulosa cells, GDF8 may play an important role in the modulation of cellular responsiveness to gonadotropins and in the regulation of ovarian steroid production, most likely as a luteinization inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Hsun-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lanlan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jung-Chien
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ying-Pu
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: peter.leung@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Peter C K
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D001141:Aromatase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D055435:Myostatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: C525911:MSTN protein, human; D055435:Myostatin; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase; C561410:CYP19A1 protein, human
keywords: Aromatase; GDF8; StAR; human granulosa cells; steroidogenesis