Bone Morphogenetic Protein-15 IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET CELLS AND BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

摘要: In developing ovarian follicles, the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation is tightly coordinated. Precisely how this coordination achieved unknown, but recent observations have suggested that molecules emitted by oocyte are involved in process. The newly discovered oocyte-specific growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15), one such molecule. At present, nothing known about target cells biological functions BMP-15. To fill gap our knowledge, recombinant BMP-15 its antibody were produced used to determine expression bioactivity. mRNA protein shown be co-expressed oocytes throughout folliculogenesis, supporting idea a physiological regulator follicle and/or differentiation. test this, we primary cultures rat granulosa (GCs). We found potent stimulator GC proliferation, importantly, mitogenic effect was follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-independent. By contrast, alone had no on steroidogenesis. However, it marked decrease FSH-induced progesterone production, FSH-stimulated estradiol production. This result indicates selective modulator FSH action. summary, study identifies GCs as first for Moreover, stimulation differential two crucial steroid hormones Significantly, factor can coordinate way reflects normal physiology.