连接蛋白Cx43和Cx37在卵泡发育中的作用

卵泡中的颗粒细胞通过间隙连接彼此交流,也与卵母细胞相互联系.连接蛋白是组成间隙连接的基本结构单位,其中Cx43和Cx37是卵泡发育所必需的.Cx43介导的间隙连接偶联通道对于胚胎生殖嵴的发育和出生后的卵泡发生都是必不可少的.Cx37除了对卵母细胞和颗粒细胞之间的交流发挥作用外,还能在紧邻卵母细胞的颗粒细胞之间形成交流通道,缺失Cx37会影响到有腔卵泡的发育,并且卵母细胞不能发育至成熟,故Cx43和Cx37对卵泡发育至关重要.

Functions of Cx43 and Cx37 in Follicle Development

In the ovarian follicle, granulose cells communicate with each other and with the oocyte through gap junctions. Connexins are the basic structure of gap junctions. Cx43 and Cx37 are required for follicle development. Gap junctional coupling mediated by Cx43 channels plays indispensable roles in both germ ridgeline developmentand postnatal folliculogenesis. 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,loss of this connexin interferes with the development of antral follicles, and oocyte maturation were impaired.