Interplay between paracrine signaling and gap junctional communication in ovarian follicles

88Citations
Citations of this article
57Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Intercellular communication is required for ovarian folliculogenesis. This is apparent in mice lacking connexin43 (Cx43, a gap junction protein strongly expressed in granulosa cells), or growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF9, an oocyte-specific growth factor that stimulates granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation), or in mice expressing a mutant form of Kit ligand (KITL, a paracrine factor that, in the ovary, is secreted by granulosa cells to stimulate oocyte growth). In all of these mutant lines, follicle growth is impaired suggesting a possible interaction between paracrine signaling and gap junctional communication. To assess this possibility, we analyzed gene expression in mutant ovaries. Despite the lack of gap junctional coupling between granulosa cells of Cx43 null mutant ovaries, expression of the genes encoding KITL and its receptor, KIT, is maintained. Furthermore, GDF9 expression is maintained. In GDF9 null mutant ovaries, there is no apparent change in Cx43 expression and, correspondingly, the granulosa cells remain coupled. There is also no increase in granulosa cell apoptosis in ovaries lacking Cx43 or GDF9. Staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) revealed that the granulosa cells of Cx43 null mutant ovaries have a reduced frequency of DNA synthesis. Using both radiolabeled thymidine incorporation and PCNA staining in vitro, we showed that recombinant GDF9 could restore the proliferation of coupling-deficient granulosa cells to the level of control cells. These results indicate that impaired folliculogenesis in mice lacking Cx43 is due at least in part to reduced responsiveness of granulosa cells to oocyte-derived GDF9, indicating an interaction between these two modes of intercellular communication.

References Powered by Scopus

Mechanisms of TGF-β signaling from cell membrane to the nucleus

5173Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Growth differentiation factor-9 is required during early ovarian folliculogenesis

1395Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cardiac malformation in neonatal mice lacking connexin43

1148Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Molecular control of oogenesis

305Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Bidirectional communication between oocytes and follicle cells: Ensuring oocyte developmental competence

247Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Oocyte-somatic cell interactions in the human ovary-novel role of bone morphogenetic proteins and growth differentiation factors

201Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Gittens, J. E. I., Barr, K. J., Vanderhyden, B. C., & Kidder, G. M. (2005). Interplay between paracrine signaling and gap junctional communication in ovarian follicles. Journal of Cell Science, 118(1), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.01587

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 17

40%

Researcher 16

38%

Professor / Associate Prof. 7

17%

Lecturer / Post doc 2

5%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 29

64%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 7

16%

Medicine and Dentistry 6

13%

Neuroscience 3

7%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free