Involvement of PKCε in FSH-induced connexin43 phosphorylation and oocyte maturation in mouse.

ABSTRACT: Gap junctions (GJs) are indispensable for communication between cumulus cells (CCs) and oocytes in coordinating the gonadotropin-induced meiotic maturation of oocytes. Of all proteins that constitute GJs, phosphorylated connexin43 (pCx43) is vital for mediating the actions of gonadotropins. In this study, the mechanism of Cx43 phosphorylation in response to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation was examined using an in vitro model of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The results confirmed that Cx43 phosphorylation occurred twice during FSH treatment. Importantly, the second Cx43 phosphorylation was closely related to cAMP level reduction within oocytes, which initiated oocyte maturation. Exploration of the underlying mechanism revealed that the CC-specific protein kina

SUBMITTER: Cai H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6124567 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature