OBJECTIVE: To screen proteins interacting with ring finger protein 216(RNF216) through yeast two hybrid experiment, and further clarify the role of RNF216 in the pathogenesis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency. METHODS: A recombinant expression vector pGBKT7-RNF216 was constructed and transformed into yeast Y2HGold, which was hybridized with a human cDNA library in order to screen proteins interacting with RNF216. The interaction was verified in yeast Y2HGold. RESULTS: A recombinant expression vector pGBKT7-RNF216 was successfully constructed and expressed in yeast Y2HGold. Filamin B (FLNB) was identified by yeast two hybrid experiment, and their interaction was verified in yeast Y2HGold. CONCLUSION An interaction between FLNB and RNF216 was identified through yeast two hybrid experiment. RNF216 may affect the proliferation and migration of GnRH neurons by regulating FLNB or FLNB/FLNA heterodimers.
Gene Library ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics* ; Humans ; Proteins ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics*

The transcription factor SOX10, as a major actor in the development of the neural crest, plays a key role in the maintenance of progenitor cell multipotency, lineage specification, and cell differentiation. Abnormalities of neural crest development in humans lead to a number of genetic diseases known as neurocristopathies or neural crest disorders. The mutation of SOX10 can cause Kallmann syndrome (KS), which is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous condition and defined by the association between anosmia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to incomplete migration of neuroendocrine gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) cells along the olfactory, vomeronasal, and terminal nerves. Since then, there have been a number of related reports that mutation of SOX10 will lead to KS with deafness. This review focuses on the SOX10 gene and the advances in the diagnosis and genetic studies of KS with deafness caused by the mutatuin of SOX10.
Cell Differentiation ; Deafness ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; SOXE Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of gene expression with development potential of early embryos derived from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Three pairs of infertile patients with respectively matched age, body mass index, ovarian reserve and treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists were selected. Patients with fewer embryos were assigned as the case group (n = 3), whilst the remainders were assigned as the control group (n = 3). Ovarian granulosa cells from patients were collected for the extraction of total RNA and subjected to RNA sequencing. The results were subjected to differential gene expression and functional enrichment analyses. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, 76 genes were up-regulated and 110 genes were down-regulated in the case group. The level of estradiol (E₂) was significantly higher in the control group on the trigger day with the injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Compared with the control group, the KRT7 gene was most significantly up-regulated, whilst the CCNYL2 gene was most significantly down-regulated in the case group. Gene ontology (GO) entries enrichment has found those associated with chromosome segregation, cell cycle regulation, and fatty acid metabolism to be significantly enriched. The genes participating in the regulation of cell assembly, differentiation, negative regulation of cell cycle, negative regulation of development, extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), ERK1 and ERK2 signaling pathways to be significantly down-regulated. KEGG enrichment analysis of cell signaling pathways revealed that steroid hormone biosynthesis-related genes were enriched. CONCLUSION Among patients treated with GnRH antagonists, the significant difference in the number of oocytes fertilized in vitro and the number of available embryos are associated with the difference in the expression of genes of ovarian granulosa cells.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Embryonic Development ; Gene Expression ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Granulosa Cells ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/genetics*

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and dopamine (DA) can stimulate growth hormone (GH) release, but their effects on GH mRNA synthesis are controversial and deficient in fish. Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is a hermaphroditic marine fish with sex reversal. Few data are available concerning the regulation of GH in grouper. In the present study, the effects of GnRH and DA on GH release and GH mRNA expression were determined using pituitary fragments of orange-spotted grouper under static culture conditions. After incubation from 1 h to 24 h, salmon GnRH (sGnRH, 100 nmol/L) stimulated the release of GH and increased the level of GH mRNA time-dependently. The minimum duration of sGnRH effect was 1 h. Both of sGnRH and mammalian GnRH (mGnRH) augmented the release of GH and the level of GH mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of sGnRH on both GH release and GH mRNA level was more pronounced than that of mGnRH. The effects of 1 micromol/L APO (Apomorphine), an agonist of D(1)/ D(2) dopamine receptors, significantly stimulated GH release and GH mRNA synthesis after incubation for 12 h. APO stimulated GH release and GH mRNA abundance in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that both GnRH and DA directly stimulate GH release and GH mRNA expression at the pituitary level, the actions of GnRH are more potent than that of DA in orange-spotted grouper.
Animals ; Dopamine ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; pharmacology ; Gonadotropins, Pituitary ; metabolism ; Growth Hormone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; secretion ; Perciformes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pituitary Gland ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assay the expression of KiSS-1 and GnRH in the male rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages, and to explore the significance of KiSS-1 in sex development onset and normal reproduction regulation.

METHODSExpression analyses of KiSS-1 and GnRH genes were conducted in the rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages with RT-PCR and real time-PCR. The testosterone level was assayed by chemoluminescence technique.

RESULTSKiSS-1 mRNA rose gradually during sex development in the rat hypothalamus, highest at puberty and lowered a little at adulthood. KiSS-1 mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.7, 2.1, 3.5 and 2.0 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The expression of GnRH and KiSS-1 correlated positively (r = 0.905, P < 0.05). But the activation of GnRH neuron was later than KiSS-1. The expression of GnRH was the highest in the puberty rats. GnRH mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.1, 1.94, 2.42 and 1.92 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The level of testosterone in the adult rats was significantly higher than that at the earlier stage and was the highest at the adult stage.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of KiSS-1 correlates positively with that of GnRH. KiSS-1 may participate in the regulation of GnRH and is relevant to puberty onset and the regulation of reproduction function.

Animals ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kisspeptins ; Male ; Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing yin removing fire Chinese herbs (NYRF-CH) on the gene expression of hypothalamic growth hormone secretion peptide (Ghrelin) and its receptor growth hormone secretion peptide receptor 1alpha (GHSR1-alpha) at the puberty onset of danazol induced female precocious rats.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group (N), the model group (M), the normal saline intervention group (NS), and the NYRFCH intervention group (NI), 10 in each group. 300 microg danazol was subcutaneously injected to all rats except those in the N group to prepare precocious rat model. NYRFCH and normal saline was respectively administered to rats in the NI and the NS group from the 15th day old for 7-10 days. No treatment was given to rats in the N group. Time of rats' vulva opening was recorded. Ovary index and uterus index were calculated. Peripheral blood levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamic contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as the gene expression of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha were determined. Results Compared with the N group, the vulva opening time was advanced in the model group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index, hypothalamic contents of GnRH increased; peripheral blood FSH levels and mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the M group and the NS group, the vulva opening time was not advanced in the NI group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index and hypothalamic contents of GnRH obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha increased (all P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the hypothalamic contents of Ghrelin, or the number and activity of GHSR1-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNYRFCH had regulatory effect on regulating hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha at gene transcription levels.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Ovary ; Puberty, Precocious ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

To study the function of the GnRH protein, the recombinant pMAL-GnRH was constructed and expressed in TB1 E. coli. The cDNA encoding gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH associated peptide (GAP) was amplified from total RNA of O. aurea pituitary glands by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then blasted against other GnRH cDNA sequences in the GenBank. The analysis of the sequence data indicated that the coding region of the cDNA fragment, which encoded 89 amino acid residues, was about 400 bp in size. The amplified cDNA fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector, pMAL-c2x, to produce the expression vector pMAL-GnRH. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli TB1. GnRH-MBP fusion protein was obtained after the addition of IPTG into the growth media. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the GnRH-MBP was expressed after induction with IPTG for 4 h. A protein band of 56 kD appeared on SDS-PAGE gel and was proved by Western blot. The mass production of the recombinant protein was about 41.6% of total bacteria protein. After purification and cleavage of the fusion protein purified GnRH protein could be obtained. Then the fusion protein was used to immunise some ICR mice to produce anti-GnRH antibody. This fusion protein could significantly elicit specific antibody response in immunized mice compared with the blank groups, and the titers against GnRH reached peak 0.707 +/- 0.320 at the 5th week after immunization. These results demonstrated that recombinant protein could induce high GnRH antibody responses in laboratory animals.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tilapia ; physiology

BACKGROUNDType I gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-I) agonists have been applied for the treatment of steroid-dependent tumors such as breast carcinoma, ovarian cancer and prostatic carcinoma. But the mechanism has not been clarified yet. There are few reports about the treatment of endometrial carcinoma using GnRH-I agonists. Type II GnRH (GnRH-II) is a new subtype of GnRH. Our aim was to investigate the effects of GnRH-I agonists and GnRH-II on estrogen receptor-negative human endometrial carcinoma cells and the effect from phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) to them.

METHODSA lentiviral vector-mediated RNAi method was used to establish a PTEN-negative HEC-1A cell clone (HEC-1A-ND). MTT and flow cytometry were used to detect the cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HEC-1A, HEC-1A-NC and HEC-1A-ND cells after treatment with GnRH-I agonist Triptorelin (10(-11) mol/L to 10(-5) mol/L) or GnRH-II (10(-11) mol/L to 10(-5) mol/L). Western blotting was used to detect AKT and ERK1/2 activation after treatment with different concentrations of Triptorelin or GnRH-II for 30 minutes in the above mentioned three kinds of cells.

RESULTSTriptorelin and GnRH-II induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of HEC-1A, HEC-1A-ND and HEC-1A-NC in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was augmented in HEC-1A-ND cells in which PTEN gene was knocked-down. Furthermore, Triptorelin and GnRH-II inhibited the AKT and ERK activity in HEC-1A-ND cells.

CONCLUSIONSTriptorelin and GnRH-II can promote apoptosis rate and inhibit cell proliferation of estrogen receptor-negative endometrial carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. PTEN gene can inhibit the effects of Triptorelin or GnRH-II on human endometrial carcinoma cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA Interference ; Triptorelin Pamoate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo probe the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for nourishing Yin and purging Fire on the expressions of gonadotropin-release hormone (GnRH) and its mRNA expression in hypothalamus and GnRH receptor mRNA in pituitary in danazol induced precocious puberty model rats.

METHODSRats were divided into the normal group, the model group, the blank control group and the CHM group. Rats, except that in the normal group, were subcutaneously administered danazol 300 micrograms at 5 days of age individually and CHM was fed to rats in the CHM group from 15 days of age, in the meantime, normal saline was fed to rats in the blank control group. Expression of GnRH in hypothalamus was observed by immunohistochemical method and expressions of GnRH mRNA in hypothalamus and GnRH receptor mRNA in pituitary were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with rats in the normal groups, the vaginal opening and the onset of first estrus were ahead of time, the number of GnRH immunoreactive positive cells decreased and the expressions of GnRH mRNA in hypothalamus and GnRH receptor mRNA in pituitary up-regulated in the model rats and blank control rats. Compared with the model and the blank control groups, in CHM group, all the above-mentioned abnormally changed parameters improved significantly after treatment.

CONCLUSIONCHM for nourishing Yin and purging Fire may inhibit the abnormal hyperfunction of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in precocious puberty rat induced by danazol via reducing the synthesis and release of GnRH, and lowering the responsibility of pituitary cells to GnRH. This may be the primary mechanism of CHM in effectively treating the true precocious puberty.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; metabolism ; Puberty, Precocious ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, LHRH ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Yin Deficiency ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most life-threatening complications of assisted reproduction treatments. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRHanta) are thought to be effective in preventing this complication, and some clinical trials have found lower incidences of OHSS in patients treated with GnRHanta. Our aim was to investigate the effects of GnRHanta on vascular permeability and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in a rat model of OHSS.

METHODSAn immature early OHSS rat model was established. Three ovarian stimulation protocols were used: pregnant mare serum gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alone, with a GnRHanta, or with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). Blood and tissue samples were collected at 48 hours after hCG administration. Vascular permeability was evaluated by measuring the Evans-Blue content of extravasated peritoneal fluids. The expression of VEGF and its receptors, including flt-1 and KDR, were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

RESULTSTreatment with both a GnRHanta and a GnRHa resulted in significant reductions in serum estradiol and peritoneal vascular permeability, as well as decreased ovarian expression of VEGF and its two receptors. However, GnRHanta treatment caused a greater reduction in serum estradiol concentrations, and in VEGF receptor mRNA expression than GnRHa. There were no significant reductions in the expression of VEGF or its receptors in extra-ovarian tissues, including the liver, lungs and peritoneum.

CONCLUSIONOur results reveal that GnRHanta are more potent than GnRHa in preventing early OHSS through down-regulation of the expression of VEGF and its receptors in hyperstimulated ovaries.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism