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Title: EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION OF PROHORMONE CONVERTASE 1/3 (SPC3) IN PORCINE OVARY

Author
item RENEGAR, RANDALL - BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
item OWENS, CHARLES - BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
item DAI, GUOLI - UNIV. KANSAS MED. CENTER
item McMurtry, John
item KWOK, SIMON - ALBERT EINSTEIN MED CEN.

Submitted to: Journal of Molecular Reproduction and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Many factors are involved in the secretion of hormones. An important family of enzymes in the cellular processing of many protein hormones is the prohormone convertases. In this study the gene expression patterns and localization of one of these enzymes, prohormone convertase 1/3 was investigated in the pregnant sow. Genetic expression of this enzyme was confined to the brain and ovary, specifically the corpus luteum. Expression patterns increased as pregnancy advanced. The results of this study demonstrate that this enzyme is an important part of protein hormone processing and secretion during pregnancy in the pig. These results will be of interest to other scientists.

Technical Abstract: Tissue distribution and cellular localization of PC1/3 mRNA in porcine tissues were examined by ribonuclease protection assay and in situ hybridization. PC 1/3 m RNA was detected mainly in the corpus luteum of pregnant sow and brain. Within the ovary PC 1/3 and relaxin transcripts colocalized within large luteal cells. Levels of PC 1/3 transcripts in corpora lutea increased as gestation advanced, parallel with an observed increase in relaxin transcripts. A role for PC 1/3 in proprotein processing in the ovary is discussed.