Association of the prion protein and its expression with ovarian follicle development in cattle

• Published in: Molecular reproduction and development 2008-02, Vol.75 (2), p.243-249
• Main Authors: Forde, N., Rogers, M., Canty, M.J., Lonergan, P., Smith, G.W., Coussens, P.M., Ireland, J.J., Evans, A.C.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Female; fertility; follicle; Follicular Fluid - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Mammalian female genital system; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; Ovary - physiology; prion; Prions - genetics; PrPC Proteins - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Swine; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 1040-452X; 1098-2795
• DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20807

The cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) has been detected in many tissues including reproductive tissues. While its function is unclear, it has been suggested to act as a receptor for an unidentified ligand and/or as an antioxidant agent. We tested the hypothesis that PrPC is differentially expressed in dominant, growing, compared to subordinate bovine ovarian follicles. Using both microarray analysis and quantitative real‐time PCR, the level of prion protein mRNA (Prnp) in both theca and granulosa cells was measured. We found that levels of Prnp were significantly higher in the theca cells of dominant compared to subordinate follicles but similar among granulosa cells from different follicles. This difference was apparent immediately after selection of the dominant follicle and continued to the dominance stage of the follicle wave. Levels of the protein for PrPC were also higher (P