Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells

Background: The cumulus cells (CC) play an essential role in protecting oocytes and providing molecular signals for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation. Gonadotropins stimulate CC proliferation, promote the release of factors that resume oocyte maturation, and activate small G proteins. Among these,...

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Main Authors: Yuna Nam, Hee-Tae Cheong, Sang-Hee Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2724&vmd=Full
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author Yuna Nam
Hee-Tae Cheong
Sang-Hee Lee
author_facet Yuna Nam
Hee-Tae Cheong
Sang-Hee Lee
author_sort Yuna Nam
collection DOAJ
description Background: The cumulus cells (CC) play an essential role in protecting oocytes and providing molecular signals for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation. Gonadotropins stimulate CC proliferation, promote the release of factors that resume oocyte maturation, and activate small G proteins. Among these, Ras, a GTP-binding protein, participates in signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, division, and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the Ras subfamily and gonadotropin receptor expression during porcine CC maturation. Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in a medium supplemented with follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 44 hours. CCs were collected from the COCs at 0, 22, and 44 hours, and mRNA expression levels of gonadotropin and growth factor receptors (FSHR, LHR, EGFR), Ras subfamily members (H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras, R-Ras), and Ras GTPases (RASA1, SOS1) were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The results revealed that LHR and R-Ras mRNA expression significantly increased only at 44 hours compared to the 0-hour group (p < 0.05). Conversely, RASA1 mRNA levels decreased significantly at the same time points. No significant changes were observed in H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras, or SOS1 expression. Conclusions: In conclusion, the observed increase in LHR and R-Ras and the decrease in RASA1 provide new insights into the molecular dynamics of Ras subfamily members during porcine CC maturation, contributing to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying oocyte development.
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spelling doaj-art-26de6d2b24d04ccfb3e52435262fde1b2025-08-20T02:50:27ZengThe Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and BiotechnologyJournal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology2671-46392671-46632025-03-01401505710.12750/JARB.40.1.50Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cellsYuna Nam0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5416-3448Hee-Tae Cheong1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8225-0262Sang-Hee Lee2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8725-4174College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaCollege of Veterinary Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaCollege of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaBackground: The cumulus cells (CC) play an essential role in protecting oocytes and providing molecular signals for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation. Gonadotropins stimulate CC proliferation, promote the release of factors that resume oocyte maturation, and activate small G proteins. Among these, Ras, a GTP-binding protein, participates in signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, division, and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the Ras subfamily and gonadotropin receptor expression during porcine CC maturation. Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in a medium supplemented with follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 44 hours. CCs were collected from the COCs at 0, 22, and 44 hours, and mRNA expression levels of gonadotropin and growth factor receptors (FSHR, LHR, EGFR), Ras subfamily members (H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras, R-Ras), and Ras GTPases (RASA1, SOS1) were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The results revealed that LHR and R-Ras mRNA expression significantly increased only at 44 hours compared to the 0-hour group (p < 0.05). Conversely, RASA1 mRNA levels decreased significantly at the same time points. No significant changes were observed in H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras, or SOS1 expression. Conclusions: In conclusion, the observed increase in LHR and R-Ras and the decrease in RASA1 provide new insights into the molecular dynamics of Ras subfamily members during porcine CC maturation, contributing to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying oocyte development.https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2724&vmd=Fullcumulus cellsmaturationpigras
spellingShingle Yuna Nam
Hee-Tae Cheong
Sang-Hee Lee
Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
cumulus cells
maturation
pig
ras
title Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
title_full Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
title_fullStr Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
title_full_unstemmed Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
title_short Changes of gonadotropin receptors and Ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
title_sort changes of gonadotropin receptors and ras subfamily genes during maturation in porcine cumulus cells
topic cumulus cells
maturation
pig
ras
url https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2724&vmd=Full
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AT heetaecheong changesofgonadotropinreceptorsandrassubfamilygenesduringmaturationinporcinecumuluscells
AT sangheelee changesofgonadotropinreceptorsandrassubfamilygenesduringmaturationinporcinecumuluscells