MAPK3/1 (ERK1/2) in ovarian granulosa cells are essential for female fertility

HY Fan, Z Liu, M Shimada, E Sterneck, PF Johnson… - Science, 2009 - science.org
HY Fan, Z Liu, M Shimada, E Sterneck, PF Johnson, SM Hedrick, JAS Richards
Science, 2009science.org
A surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland triggers ovulation, oocyte
maturation, and luteinization for successful reproduction in mammals. Because the signaling
molecules RAS and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2) are activated
by an LH surge in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles, we disrupted Erk1/2 in mouse
granulosa cells and provide in vivo evidence that these kinases are necessary for LH-
induced oocyte resumption of meiosis, ovulation, and luteinization. In addition, biochemical …
A surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland triggers ovulation, oocyte maturation, and luteinization for successful reproduction in mammals. Because the signaling molecules RAS and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2) are activated by an LH surge in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles, we disrupted Erk1/2 in mouse granulosa cells and provide in vivo evidence that these kinases are necessary for LH-induced oocyte resumption of meiosis, ovulation, and luteinization. In addition, biochemical analyses and selected disruption of the Cebpb gene in granulosa cells demonstrate that C/EBPβ (CCAAT/Enhancer-binding protein–β) is a critical downstream mediator of ERK1/2 activation. Thus, ERK1/2 and C/EBPβ constitute an in vivo LH-regulated signaling pathway that controls ovulation- and luteinization-related events.
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