Lee S, Kang HG, Jeong PS, Song BS, Choi WS, Jin YB, Huh JW, Kim SU, Sim BW. Expression of the melatonergic system during meiotic maturation of cynomolgus monkey cumulus-oocyte complexes.
J Med Primatol 2023;
52:163-169. [PMID:
36973936 DOI:
10.1111/jmp.12641]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Melatonin is a multifunctional hormone synthesized in the pineal gland and peripheral reproductive tissues that regulates many biological processes. There is increasing evidence for a role of melatonin in oocyte maturation and embryonic development in various mammals. However, no study has reported evidence for the existence of melatonergic system, such as melatonin synthesis enzymes, melatonin membrane receptors, or melatonin binding sites in non-human primate cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs).
METHODS
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry were performed to detect transcripts and proteins of the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AANAT), melatonin membrane receptors (MT1 and MT2), and a melatonin binding site (NRH: quinone oxidoreductase 2, NQO2) in cynomolgus monkey COCs.
RESULTS
RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of AANAT, MT1, MT2, and NQO2 transcripts in granulosa cells, germinal vesicle (GV)- and metaphase II (MII)-stage cumulus cells, and oocytes. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of AANAT, MT1, MT2, and NQO2 proteins in GV- and MII-stage COCs.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide the first evidence for the existence of the rate-limiting enzyme required for melatonin synthesis, melatonin membrane receptors, and a melatonin binding site in non-human primate COCs.
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