Identification of a New Theca/Interstitial Cell-Specific Gene and Its Biological Role in Growth of Mouse Ovarian Follicles at the Gonadotropin-Independent Stage.

ABSTRACT: Theca/interstitial cells are responsible for the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. However, little is known about the theca/interstitial cell-specific genes and their functions. In this study, we explored transcriptomes of theca/interstitial cells by RNA-seq, and the novel biological roles of a theca cell marker, asporin (Aspn)/periodontal ligament-associated protein 1 (PLAP-1). RNA-seq detected 432 and 62 genes expressed specifically in theca/interstitial cells and granulosa cells isolated from 3-weeks old mouse ovaries. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that these genes were largely categorized into four major groups: extracellular matrix organization-related terms, chemotaxis-related terms, the angiogenesis-related terms, and morphogenesis-related terms. In situ hybri

SUBMITTER: Aoyama M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702446 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature