Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15(2):404-415. doi:10.7150/ijbs.27912 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells

Xiaomei Wang1,2*, Kai Meng 1,2*, Yuanyuan He1,2, Hengqin Wang 1,2, Yong Zhang1,2✉, Fusheng Quan1,2✉

1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
2. Key Laboratory of Animal Bio-Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
* These authors contributed equally to this research.

Citation:
Wang X, Meng K, He Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Quan F. Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15(2):404-415. doi:10.7150/ijbs.27912. https://www.ijbs.com/v15p0404.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Melatonin is present in mammalian follicular fluid and plays an important role in regulating steroidogenesis in follicular cells. In this study, we report the effect of melatonin on steroidogenesis in the theca interna (TI) in small bovine follicles and theca cells (TCs) cultured in vitro. Treatment with melatonin significantly increased the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and the production of progesterone in both TI and in TCs. Melatonin stimulated the phosphorylation of AKT but not ERK1/2, and the addition of luzindole (a nonspecific MT1 and MT2 inhibitor) or 4P-PDOT (specific MT2 inhibitor) reduced melatonin-induced STAR expression, progesterone secretion, and PI3K/AKT pathway activation. The effect of melatonin on the TI in follicles was more obvious than on the TCs in vitro. Results indicate that melatonin stimulates the steroidogenesis of TCs mainly via the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway by MT1 and MT2.

Keywords: Melatonin, Theca cells, Steroidogenesis, PI3K/AKT, Bovine


Citation styles

APA
Wang, X., Meng, K., He, Y., Wang, H., Zhang, Y., Quan, F. (2019). Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 15(2), 404-415. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.27912.

ACS
Wang, X.; Meng, K.; He, Y.; Wang, H.; Zhang, Y.; Quan, F. Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2019, 15 (2), 404-415. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.27912.

NLM
Wang X, Meng K, He Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Quan F. Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15(2):404-415. doi:10.7150/ijbs.27912. https://www.ijbs.com/v15p0404.htm

CSE
Wang X, Meng K, He Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Quan F. 2019. Melatonin Stimulates STAR Expression and Progesterone Production via Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Bovine Theca Cells. Int J Biol Sci. 15(2):404-415.

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