Activation of Cumulus Cell SMAD2/3 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathways Are Involved in Porcine Oocyte-Cumulus Cell Expansion and Steroidogenesis

0368348 - ÚŽFG 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Nagyová, Eva - Camaioni, A. - Scsuková, S. - Mlynarčíková, A. - Procházka, Radek - Němcová, Lucie - Salustri, A.
Activation of Cumulus Cell SMAD2/3 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathways Are Involved in Porcine Oocyte-Cumulus Cell Expansion and Steroidogenesis.
Molecular Reproduction and Development. Roč. 78, č. 6 (2011), s. 391-402. ISSN 1040-452X. E-ISSN 1098-2795
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA523/08/0111
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50450515
Keywords : MURAL GRANULOSA-CELLS * IN-VITRO MATURATION * PREOVULATORY OVARIAN-FOLLICLES
Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology
Impact factor: 2.532, year: 2011

Several lines of evidence suggest that in mice the activation of SMAD2/3 signaling by oocyte secreted factors, together with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, is essential to induce cumulus expansion. Here we show that inhibition of EGFR kinase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated porcine oocyte-cumulus cell complex (OCCs) strongly decreases hyaluronan (HA) synthesis and its retention in the matrix, as well as progesterone synthesis. Although porcine cumulus cells undergo expansion independently of oocytes, we use biochemical and gene expression analyses to show that they do require activation of SMAD2/3 for optimal stimulation of HA synthesis and proteins involved in the organization of this polymer in the expanded matrix. Furthermore, FSH-induced progesterone synthesis by porcine cumulus cells was increased by blocking SMAD2/3 activation.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202719