Simon Alexander M, Chen Hwudaurw, Jackson Charity L
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85724, USA.
Cell Commun Adhes. 2006 Jan-Apr;13(1-2):61-77. doi: 10.1080/15419060600631748.
In the ovarian follicle, granulosa cells adjacent to the oocyte extend processes through the zona pellucida matrix, and these projections establish gap junctions both with the oocyte and with neighboring transzonal projections. The identity of connexins contributing to gap junctions between transzonal projections has not been extensively studied. Here, we examined the expression pattern of Cx37 and Cx43 in mouse zona pellucida using multiple connexin-specific antibodies. Immunofluorescence staining revealed abundant Cx37 and Cx43 puncta within the zona pellucida of both preantral and antral follicles. Cx37 persisted in the zona pellucida of mature follicles up to 5 h after an ovulatory stimulus whereas Cx43 was reduced in the zona pellucida by 3 h after an ovulatory stimulus. We suggest that in addition to its role in oocyte-granulosa cell communication, Cx37 could enable a distinct communication pathway between those granulosa cells that are in direct contact with the oocyte.
在卵巢卵泡中，与卵母细胞相邻的颗粒细胞通过透明带基质延伸出突起，这些突起与卵母细胞以及相邻的跨透明带突起建立缝隙连接。关于构成跨透明带突起之间缝隙连接的连接蛋白的特性尚未得到广泛研究。在此，我们使用多种连接蛋白特异性抗体检测了小鼠透明带中Cx37和Cx43的表达模式。免疫荧光染色显示，在窦前卵泡和窦卵泡的透明带内均有丰富的Cx37和Cx43点状结构。在排卵刺激后长达5小时内，成熟卵泡透明带中Cx37持续存在，而排卵刺激后3小时，透明带中Cx43减少。我们认为，除了在卵母细胞-颗粒细胞通讯中的作用外，Cx37还可能在与卵母细胞直接接触的颗粒细胞之间建立独特的通讯途径。
