Ovarian expression of p53 and p21 apoptosis regulators in γ-irradiated mice

• Published in: Molecular reproduction and development 2008-02, Vol.75 (2), p.383-391
• Main Authors: Lee, Chang Joo, Kim, Heung-Tae, Song, Kang Won, Kim, Sang Soo, Park, Ho Hyun, Yoon, Yong-Dal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Apoptosis - radiation effects; Biological and medical sciences; DNA Primers; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - radiation effects; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gamma Rays; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Mammalian female genital system; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; mouse; ovarian follicle; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; Ovarian Follicle - radiation effects; Ovary - physiology; Ovary - radiation effects; p21; p53; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - radiation effects; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - radiation effects; Vertebrates: reproduction; γ-radiation
• ISSN: 1040-452X; 1098-2795
• DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20761

Ovarian follicular degeneration is accelerated by γ‐radiation. To investigate the precise radiation‐induced cellular and molecular biological changes in the ovary, prepubertal mice were whole‐body irradiated with 6.94 Gy, which is the 30% of the lethal dose of γ‐radiation using a 60Co source. At 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr after irradiation, ovarian expression of p53 and p21 mRNA and protein were analyzed by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Immunohistochemical localization of p53 and p21 antigens was also carried out. Immunoreactive p53 and p21 were expressed in the nuclei of granulosa cells, but were not detected on the theca. In control mouse ovaries, p21 was weakly expressed on granulosa but not on the theca cells. In γ‐irradiated mouse ovaries, however, immunoreactive p21 proteins were detected in the nuclei of follicular granulosa cells. After irradiation expression of p53 and p21 mRNA and protein was significantly increased compared to β‐actin. Taken together, these observations suggest that p53 and p21 are actively involved in γ‐radiation‐induced follicular degeneration in the prepubertal mouse ovary. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 383–391, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.