Med. Weter. 72 (1), 53-57, 2016
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| Kempisty B., Piotrowska H., Kranc W., Ziółkowska A., Ciesiółka S., Jeseta M., Bukowska D., Antosik P., Jopek K., Brüssow K.-P., Bruska M., Nowicki M., Zabel M. |
| Expression and cellular distribution of estrogen-related receptor beta gamma (ERR beta gamma), estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERR gamma) and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) in immature porcine oocytes: confocal microscopy approach |
| Steroid hormones display a significant role during the regulation of mammalian reproduction. It has been clearly shown that these hormones regulate important stages of ovulation, embryo development and proper implantation during peri-implantation stages. Moreover, the function of steroids has also been shown as activators and/or inhibitors of oocyte maturation. However, the expression of steroid receptors as well as protein distribution within the cell is still poorly recognized in relation to estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) and the progesterone receptor-membrane component (PGRMC1). Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze ERRβ/γ, ERRγ and PGRMC1 protein expression and localization in porcine immature oocytes using confocal microscopic observations. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from puberal gilts after ovario-hysterectomy, then morphologically evaluated and fixed using the standard immunofluorescence procedure. The oocytes were stained with primary antibodies against ERRβ/γ, ERRγ and PGRMC1 proteins. In the results, all investigated proteins were found distributed in cytoplasm of immature porcine oocytes with a similar intensity of expression. We did not find zona pellucida and/or membrane localization of ERRβ/γ, ERRγ and PGRMC1 proteins. Moreover, in the case of ERRβ/γ, an increased expression of this protein was found in granulosa cells which surrounded the cumulus. It has been shown that major steroid hormone receptors, ERRβ/γ, ERRγ and PGRMC1, were localized in porcine oocyte’s cytoplasm, in the stage of a maturity-dependent manner. It is suggested that the maturation stage of porcine oocyte may be the main factor which determines distribution of steroid hormone receptors within the cell. It may display a significant function in sperm-egg interaction during fertilization, where steroid receptors on the oocyte membrane surface may act as sperm-ligand receptors. |
| Key words: genes, protein distribution, pig oocyte |