Fxna, a novel gene differentially expressed in the rat ovary at the time of folliculogenesis, is required for normal ovarian histogenesis
Author
dc.contributor.author
García Rudaz, Cecilia
Author
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Luna, Félix
Author
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Tapia, Verónica
Author
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Kerr, Bredford
Author
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Colgin, Lois
Author
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Galimi, Francesco
Author
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Dissen, Gregory A.
Author
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Rawlings, Neil D.
Author
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Ojeda, Sergio R.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2019-03-11T12:54:02Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2019-03-11T12:54:02Z
Publication date
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2007
Cita de ítem
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Development 134, 945-957 (2007)
Identifier
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09501991
Identifier
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10.1242/dev.02795
Identifier
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https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/164317
Abstract
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In rodents, the formation of ovarian follicles occurs after birth. In recent years, several factors required for follicular assembly and
the growth of the newly formed follicles have been identified. We now describe a novel gene, Fxna, identified by differential
display in the neonatal rat ovary. Fxna encodes an mRNA of 5.4 kb, and a protein of 898 amino acids. Fxna is a transmembrane
metallopeptidase from family M28, localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. In the ovary, Fxna mRNA is expressed in granulosa cells;
its abundance is maximal 48 hours after birth, i.e. during the initiation of follicular assembly. Reducing Fxna mRNA levels via
lentiviral-mediated delivery of short hairpin RNAs to neonatal ovaries resulted in substantial loss of primordial, primary and
secondary follicles, and structural disorganization of the ovary, with many abnormal follicles containing more than one oocyte and
clusters of somatic cells not associated with any oocytes. These abnormalities were not attributable to either increased apoptosis or
decreased proliferation of granulosa cells. The results indicate that Fxna is required for the organization of somatic cells and
oocytes into discrete follicular structures. As an endoplasmic reticulum-bound peptidase, Fxna may facilitate follicular organization
by processing precursor proteins required for intraovarian cell-to-cell communication.