Regulation of NGFI-B expression during the ovulatory process

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2003-04, Vol.202 (1), p.25-29
• Main Authors: Park, Jae-Il, Park, Hyun-Jeong, Lee, Yu-Il, Seo, You-Mi, Chun, Sang-Young
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; Female; Gene Expression; Granulosa Cells - drug effects; Granulosa Cells - physiology; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; LH/hCG; Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism; Luteinizing Hormone - pharmacology; Nerve Tissue Proteins; NGFI-B; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; Ovulation; Ovulation - genetics; Ovulation - physiology; PKCζ; Preovulatory follicles; Protein Kinase C - metabolism; Rats; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Steroid; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; Transcription Factors - genetics
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/S0303-7207(03)00057-1

NGFI-B is an immediate-early gene that encodes an orphan nuclear receptor. In the rat ovary, the preovulatory surge of LH induces NGFI-B expression in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles, reaching a peak within 1 h and declining to control levels at 6 h. The LH-stimulated NGFI-B expression is abolished by α-amanitin, but superinduced by cycloheximide. Similarly, treatment of human luteinized granulosa cells with LH causes a rapid and transient stimulation of NGFI-B expression. Interestingly, the induction of NGFI-B expression in response to LH stimulation in preovulatory granulosa cells requires signaling through protein kinase Cζ. Furthermore, two other NGFI-B family members, Nurr1 and Nor1, are also rapidly stimulated by LH in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles through the activation of protein kinase Cζ. The cell-type specific expression and LH induction of NGFI-B suggests a potential role of NGFI-B in the ovulatory process.