Protein kinases and ovarian functions

The present focus survey represents a short review of current knowledge concerning involvement of protein kinases in control of basic ovarian functions. Ovarian cells produce a number of protein kinases, whose expression depends on type of cells, their state and action of hormones and other protein kinases. A number of protein kinases are involved in control of ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, oocyte maturation, hormone release, reception and response to hormones, as well as in mediating action of hormones on these ovarian functions. Complexity of interrelationships between different protein kinase‐dependent signaling pathways occurs. Protein kinases and their regulators could be used for characterization, prediction and control of ovarian folliculogenesis and atresia, Corpus luteum functions, oocyte maturation, fertility, release of hormones, response of ovarian structures to hormonal regulators, as well as for treatment of some reproductive disorders. The present data demonstrate importance of protein kinases in control of basic ovarian function and potential usage of protein kinases for characterization, prediction and control of these functions. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 37–45, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

RNA interference and ovarian functions

RNA interference, a recently discovered new mechanism controlling gene expression via small RNAs, was shown to be involved in characterization and control of basic ovarian cell functions. The main classes of small RNAs, as well as their expression in ovaries have been described. Furthermore, the successful application of RNA interference for study and control of basic ovarian functions (proliferation, apoptosis, secretory activity, luteogenesis, oocyte maturation, and related ovarian cell malignant transformation) and production of recombinant proteins have been demonstrated. Application of RNA interference in reproductive biology and medicine can be successful in two main areas: (1) characterization and prediction of physiological and pathological state (association between particular small RNA and physiological or pathological processes), (2) application of small RNAs for regulation of reproductive processes and treatment of reproductive disorders or their particular indexes. Problems of improvement of small RNA delivery to target ovarian cells and potent RNA interference‐related approaches for treatment of ovarian disorders (especially of ovarian cancer) have been discussed. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 354–363, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Protein kinases: Signaling molecules controlling ovarian functions

The present focus survey represents a review of current knowledge concerning involvement of protein kinases in control of basic ovarian functions in mammals. Ovarian cells produce a number of protein kinases, whose expression depends on type of cells, their state and action of hormones and other protein kinases. A number of protein kinases are involved in control of ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, oocyte maturation, hormone release, reception and response to hormones, as well as in mediating action of hormones on these ovarian functions. Protein kinases and their regulators could be used for characterization, prediction and control of ovarian folliculogenesis and atresia, corpus luteum functions, oocyte maturation, fertility, release of hormones, response of ovarian structures to hormonal regulators, as well as for treatment of some reproductive disorders.     

转录因子MEF2对多种信号通路的调节及其生物学作用

肌细胞增强因子 2 (myocyteenhancerfactor 2 ,MEF 2 )是一种特定的转录因子 .由于其涉及基因调节的不同环节及其多样的控制基因表达和功能的调节机制 ,正日益受到高度的重视 .目前发现MEF2最突出的功能是控制肌细胞分化过程中的基因转录 ,其主要作用是在骨骼肌、心肌和平滑肌的发育过程中介导细胞的分化 .MEF2作为钙依赖性调节因子 ,在神经系统的发育和分化中也发挥着重要的作用 .近来实验发现 ,MEF2可能参与肝脏纤维化的形成过程 ,是肝星状细胞 (hepaticstellatecell,HSC)活化的转录调节因子     

NF-κB与肿瘤发生及药物筛选

NF-κB是一类能特异性地识别结合DNA的Rel类蛋白质二聚体转录因子。在静息细胞中 ,NF-κB与抑制性蛋白IκBs结合形成复合物 ,并被滞留于细胞质中而处于非活化状态 ;当细胞受到各种胞内外刺激时 ,IκBs被迅速地降解 ,NF-κB得以释放并进入细胞核 ,从而发挥其转录调节功能。NF-κB通过调控众多靶基因的转录表达而在免疫、炎症反应、细胞增殖与凋亡及肿瘤发生等许多生理学过程中发挥重要作用。介绍了NF-κB活化的调控机制 ,并对NF-κB信号通路在肿瘤发生等相关过程及其在药物筛选中的作用进行了探讨。