Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-6-19
pubmed:abstractText
Apoptosis in granulosa cells plays a crucial role in ovarian follicular atresia, but the intracellular regulating mechanism, especially the mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis signalling pathway, is still largely unknown. This study examined whether the mitochondrial pathway is associated with granulosa cell apoptosis during atresia in pig ovaries. Both mRNAs of caspase-9 and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf1), which are major signal transducing components in the mitochondrial pathway, were detected in granulosa cells in healthy, early atretic and progressed atretic follicles by RT-PCR. No changes in the expression of Apaf1 mRNA were seen during follicular atresia, but the expression of caspase-9 mRNA increased during atresia. Apaf1 protein was steadily detected in granulosa cells prepared from healthy, early atretic and progressed atretic follicles by western blot analysis, but high expression of the precursor of caspase-9 (procaspase-9) was detected only in granulosa cells of healthy follicles. Decreased procaspase-9 protein was demonstrated during follicular atresia. Proteolytic activity of caspase-9 increased during atresia, in agreement with the diminution of procaspase-9 protein. Intensive expression of caspase-9 mRNA was demonstrated in the granulosa cells of early atretic and progressed atretic follicles but not in those of healthy follicles. These results indicate that the mitochondrial signalling pathway, which is mediated by Apaf1 and caspase-9, plays a crucial role in determining the fate of granulosa cells during atresia in pig ovaries.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
1470-1626
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
126
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
113-20
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Expression and activity of Apaf1 and caspase-9 in granulosa cells during follicular atresia in pig ovaries.
pubmed:affiliation
Unit of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't