N-cadherin mechanosensing in ovarian follicles controls oocyte maturation and ovulation.

ABSTRACT: The cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin (CDH2) is a membrane component of adherens junctions which regulates tissue morphogenesis and architecture. In the follicles of mammalian ovaries, N-cadherin adherens junctions are present between granulosa cells, cumulus cells, and at the interface of cumulus cell transzonal projections and the oocyte. We demonstrate a mechanosensory role of N-cadherin integrating tissue structure and hormonal regulation of follicular morphogenic events including expansion of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) matrix, oocyte maturation, and ovulation. Two small molecule N-cadherin antagonists inhibited COC maturation in vitro. Transcriptome profiling revealed that targets of β-catenin and YAP1 pathways were dysregulated by N-cadherin antagonists. In vivo, N-cadherin ant

SUBMITTER: Emery A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12306970 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature