Metalloproteases in gonad formation and ovulation

• Published in: General and comparative endocrinology 2021-12, Vol.314, p.113924-113924, Article 113924
• Main Author: Zhu, Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adam; Adamts; Animals; Female; Folliculogenesis; Germ Cells - physiology; Gonad differentiation; Gonad formation; Gonads - growth & development; Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinases - metabolism; Metalloprotease; Mmp; Ovulation; PGC; Primordial germ cell; Sex determination; Zebrafish
• ISSN: 0016-6480; 1095-6840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113924

•Adamts9 has a role in PGC migration in zebrafish.•Adamts9 is critical for the development and maintenance of ovarian follicles.•Adamts1, Adamts9, Mmp2, and Mmp9 change during gonadal development and ovulation.•Post-translational activation of metalloproteases is critical for their functions.•Multiple proteases complementing each other in their ECM targeting. Changes in expression or activation of various metalloproteases including matrix metalloproteases (Mmp), a disintegrin and metalloprotease (Adam) and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif (Adamts), and their endogenous inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases, Timp), have been shown to be critical for ovulation in various species from studies in past decades. Some of these metalloproteases such as Adamts1, Adamts9, Mmp2, and Mmp9 have also been shown to be regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or progestin, which are essential triggers for ovulation in all vertebrate species. Most of these metalloproteases also express broadly in various tissues and cells including germ cells and somatic gonad cells. Thus, metalloproteases likely play roles in gonad formation processes comprising primordial germ cell (PGC) migration, development of germ and somatic cells, and sex determination. However, our knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of metalloproteases in these processes in vertebrates is still lacking. This review will summarize our current knowledge on the metalloproteases in ovulation and gonad formation with emphasis on PGC migration and germ cell development.