Abstract
Notch signaling pathway, a highly conserved cell signaling system, exists in most multicellular organisms. The objective of this study was to examine Notch signaling pathway in germ cell cyst breakdown and primordial follicle formation. The receptor and ligand genes of Notch pathway (Notch1, Notch2, Jagged1, Jagged2 and Hes1) were extremely down-regulated after newborn mouse ovaries were cultured then exposed to DAPT or L-685,458 in vitro (P < 0.01). Since DAPT or L-685,548 inhibits Notch signaling pathway, the expression of protein LHX8 and NOBOX was significantly reduced during the formation of the primordial follicles. Down-regulated mRNA expression of specific genes including Lhx8, Figla, Sohlh2 and Nobox, were also observed. The percentages of female germ cells in germ cell cysts and primordial follicles were counted after culture of newborn ovaries for 3 days in vitro. The result showed female germ cells in cysts was remarkably up-regulated while as the oocytes in primordial follicles was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Notch signaling pathway may regulate the formation of primordial follicle in mice.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / genetics
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Cell Survival / genetics
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Female
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Germ Cells / growth & development
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Germ Cells / metabolism*
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Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Jagged-1 Protein
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Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Mice
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Oocytes / growth & development
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Oocytes / metabolism*
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Ovarian Follicle / growth & development
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Ovarian Follicle / metabolism*
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Receptor, Notch1 / biosynthesis
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Receptor, Notch1 / genetics
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Receptor, Notch2 / biosynthesis
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Receptor, Notch2 / genetics
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Transcription Factor HES-1
Substances
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Hes1 protein, mouse
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Jag1 protein, mouse
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Jagged-1 Protein
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Membrane Proteins
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Notch1 protein, mouse
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Notch2 protein, mouse
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Receptor, Notch1
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Receptor, Notch2
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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Transcription Factor HES-1