TY - JOUR
T1 - Suppression of notch signaling in the neonatal mouse ovary decreases primordial follicle formation
AU - Trombly, Daniel J.
AU - Woodruff, Teresa K.
AU - Mayo, Kelly E.
PY - 2009/2
Y1 - 2009/2
N2 - Notch signaling directs cell fate during embryogenesis by influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Notch genes are expressed in the adult mouse ovary, and roles for Notch in regulating folliculogenesis are beginning to emerge from mouse genetic models. We investigated how Notch signaling might influence the formation of primordial follicles. Follicle assembly takes place when germ cell syncytia within the ovary break down and germ cells are encapsulated by pregranulosa cells. In the mouse, this occurs during the first 4-5 d of postnatal life. The expression of Notch family genes in the neonatal mouse ovary was determined through RT-PCR measurements. Jaggedl, Notch2, and Hesl transcripts were the most abundantly expressed ligand, receptor, and target gene, respectively. Jaggedl and Hey2 mRNAs were up-regulated over the period of follicle formation. Localization studies demonstrated that JAGGED1 is expressed in germ cells prior to follicle assembly and in the oocytes of primordial follicles. Pregranulosa cells that surround germ cell nests express HES1. In addition, pregranulosa cells of primordial follicles expressed NOTCH2 and Hey2 mRNA. We used an ex vivo ovary culture system to assess the requirement for Notch signaling during early follicle development. Newborn ovaries cultured in the presence of γ-secretase inhibitors, compounds that attenuate Notch signaling, had a marked reduction in primordial follicles compared with vehicle-treated ovaries, and there was a corresponding increase in germ cells that remained within nests. These data support afunctional role for Notch signaling in regulating primordial follicle formation.
AB - Notch signaling directs cell fate during embryogenesis by influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Notch genes are expressed in the adult mouse ovary, and roles for Notch in regulating folliculogenesis are beginning to emerge from mouse genetic models. We investigated how Notch signaling might influence the formation of primordial follicles. Follicle assembly takes place when germ cell syncytia within the ovary break down and germ cells are encapsulated by pregranulosa cells. In the mouse, this occurs during the first 4-5 d of postnatal life. The expression of Notch family genes in the neonatal mouse ovary was determined through RT-PCR measurements. Jaggedl, Notch2, and Hesl transcripts were the most abundantly expressed ligand, receptor, and target gene, respectively. Jaggedl and Hey2 mRNAs were up-regulated over the period of follicle formation. Localization studies demonstrated that JAGGED1 is expressed in germ cells prior to follicle assembly and in the oocytes of primordial follicles. Pregranulosa cells that surround germ cell nests express HES1. In addition, pregranulosa cells of primordial follicles expressed NOTCH2 and Hey2 mRNA. We used an ex vivo ovary culture system to assess the requirement for Notch signaling during early follicle development. Newborn ovaries cultured in the presence of γ-secretase inhibitors, compounds that attenuate Notch signaling, had a marked reduction in primordial follicles compared with vehicle-treated ovaries, and there was a corresponding increase in germ cells that remained within nests. These data support afunctional role for Notch signaling in regulating primordial follicle formation.
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U2 - 10.1210/en.2008-0213
DO - 10.1210/en.2008-0213
M3 - Article
C2 - 18818300
AN - SCOPUS:59649113877
SN - 0013-7227
VL - 150
SP - 1014
EP - 1024
JO - Endocrinology
JF - Endocrinology
IS - 2
ER -