Hormonal regulation of c-KIT receptor and its ligand: implications for human infertility?

The c-KIT, a tyrosine kinase receptor, and its ligand the stem cell factor (SCF) play an important role in the production of male and female gametes. The interaction of SCF with c-KIT is required for germ cell survival and growth, and abnormalities in the activity of the SCF/c-KIT system have been a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in histochemistry and cytochemistry 2014-09, Vol.49 (1-3), p.1-19
Main Authors: Figueira, Marília I., Cardoso, Henrique J., Correia, Sara, Maia, Cláudio J., Socorro, Sílvia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Androgens
c-KIT
estrogens
Female
gonadotropins
Gonadotropins - physiology
Humans
infertility
Infertility - physiopathology
Ligands
Male
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism
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Summary:The c-KIT, a tyrosine kinase receptor, and its ligand the stem cell factor (SCF) play an important role in the production of male and female gametes. The interaction of SCF with c-KIT is required for germ cell survival and growth, and abnormalities in the activity of the SCF/c-KIT system have been associated with human infertility. Recently, it was demonstrated that gonadotropic and sex steroid hormones, among others, regulate the expression of SCF and c-KIT in testicular and ovarian cells. Therefore, the hormonal (de)regulation of SCF/c-KIT system in the testis and ovary may be a cause underpinning infertility. In the present review, we will discuss the effects of hormones modulating the expression levels of SCF and c-KIT in the human gonads. In addition, the implications of hormonal regulation of SCF/c-KIT system for germ cell development and fertility will be highlighted.
ISSN:0079-6336
1873-2186
DOI:10.1016/j.proghi.2014.09.001