| First Author | Arcos A | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Sci Rep | Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 11765 |
| PubMed ID | 28924180 | Mgi Jnum | J:255549 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6109761 | Doi | 10.1038/s41598-017-12292-9 |
| Citation | Arcos A, et al. (2017) alpha-SNAP is expressed in mouse ovarian granulosa cells and plays a key role in folliculogenesis and female fertility. Sci Rep 7(1):11765 |
| abstractText | The balance between ovarian folliculogenesis and follicular atresia is critical for female fertility and is strictly regulated by a complex network of neuroendocrine and intra-ovarian signals. Despite the numerous functions executed by granulosa cells (GCs) in ovarian physiology, the role of multifunctional proteins able to simultaneously coordinate/modulate several cellular pathways is unclear. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (alpha-SNAP) is a multifunctional protein that participates in SNARE-mediated membrane fusion events. In addition, it regulates cell-to-cell adhesion, AMPK signaling, autophagy and apoptosis in different cell types. In this study we examined the expression pattern of alpha-SNAP in ovarian tissue and the consequences of alpha-SNAP (M105I) mutation (hyh mutation) in folliculogenesis and female fertility. Our results showed that alpha-SNAP protein is highly expressed in GCs and its expression is modulated by gonadotropin stimuli. On the other hand, alpha-SNAP-mutant mice show a reduction in alpha-SNAP protein levels. Moreover, increased apoptosis of GCs and follicular atresia, reduced ovulation rate, and a dramatic decline in fertility is observed in alpha-SNAP-mutant females. In conclusion, alpha-SNAP plays a critical role in the balance between follicular development and atresia. Consequently, a reduction in its expression/function (M105I mutation) causes early depletion of ovarian follicles and female subfertility. |
