The Booroola mutation in sheep is associated with an alteration of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor-IB functionality

Abstract

The hyperprolificacy phenotype of Booroola ewes is due to the presence of the FecBB allele at the FecB locus, recently identified as a single amino acid substitution (Q249R) in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type-IB receptor (BMPR1B), and is associated with a more precocious differentiation of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). To evaluate the consequences of the Booroola mutation on BMPR1B functions, the action of ligands of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)/BMP family that act through (growth and differentiation factor-5, BMP-4) or independently of (activin A, TGFβ-1) BMPR1B were studied on primary cultures of GCs from homozygous FecB+ and FecBB ewes. All the tested TGFβ/BMP family ligands inhibited progesterone secretion by FecB+ GCs. Those inhibitory effects were lower for GCs from preovulatory (5-7 mm diameter) than from small antral follicles (1-3 mm diameter). The presence of the Booroola mutation was associated with a 3- to 4-fold (P<0.001) decreased responsiveness of GCs from FecBB compared with FecB+ small follicles to the action of BMPR1B ligands. In contrast, TGFβ-1 and activin A had similar inhibitory effects on progesterone secretion by GCs from FecB+ and FecBB small follicles. No difference between genotypes was observed with GCs from preovulatory follicles. In transfection experiments with HEK-293 cells, co-expression of FecB+ BMPR1B and BMPR2 resulted in a 2.6-fold (P<0.01) induction of the activity of a BMP-specific luciferase reporter construct by BMP-4. Interestingly, no response to BMP-4 was observed when cells were transfected with the FecBB form of the BMPR1B receptor. Overall, these data strongly suggest that the Q249R mutation is associated with a specific alteration of BMPR1B signaling in hyperprolific Booroola ewes.