Characterization and significance of adhesion and junction-related proteins in mouse ovarian follicles.

In the ovary, initiation of follicle growth is marked by cuboidalization of flattened granulosa cells (GCs). The regulation and cell biology of this shape change remains poorly understood. We propose that characterization of intercellular junctions and associated proteins is key to identifying as yet unknown regulators of this important transition.

Comparison of NMR lipid profiles in mitotic arrest and apoptosis as indicators of paclitaxel resistance in cervical cell lines.

This study aimed to characterize changes in lipid saturation using magnetic resonance spectroscopy of sensitive (HeLa) and resistant (C33A; Me180) cervical cancer cell lines following exposure to paclitaxel to explore lipid profiles as biomarkers of drug resistance. Spectra were acquired at 11.74 T.

LKB1 is required for hepatic bile acid transport and canalicular membrane integrity in mice.

LKB1 is a 'master' protein kinase implicated in the regulation of metabolism, cell proliferation, cell polarity and tumorigenesis. However, the long-term role of LKB1 in hepatic function is unknown. In the present study, it is shown that hepatic LKB1 plays a key role in liver cellular architecture and metabolism.

Elevated expression of the metabolic regulator receptor-interacting protein 140 results in cardiac hypertrophy and impaired cardiac function.

Aims: Receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a ligand-dependent cofactor for nuclear receptors that regulate networks of genes involved in cellular processes, including metabolism. An important role for RIP140 in metabolic control has been identified in RIP140 null mice, whose phenotypes include derepression of genes involved in energy mobilization or catabolism in adipocytes and a switch to more oxidative fibres in skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that ubiquitous expression of RIP140 would suppress metabolic processes, leading to defects in development or cellular function.

Progesterone induces nano-scale molecular modifications on endometrial epithelial cell surfaces.

Background Information: The endometrial epithelial cell membrane is a key interface in female reproductive biology. Steroid hormones play a predominant role in cyclic changes which occur at this interface during the female menstrual cycle. Specific changes in the morphology of the endometrial epithelial cell surface become apparent with the epithelial transition that drives the switch from a non-receptive to receptive surface due to the action of progesterone on an oestrogen primed tissue.

Effect of cell shape and packing density on granulosa cell proliferation and formation of multiple layers during early follicle development in the ovary.

The postnatal mouse ovary is rich in quiescent and early-growing oocytes, each one surrounded by a layer of somatic granulosa cells (GCs) on a basal lamina. As oocytes start to grow the GCs change shape from flattened to cuboidal, increase their proliferation and form multiple layers, providing a unique model for studying the relationship between cell shape, proliferation and multilayering within the context of two different intercommunicating cell types: somatic and germ cells. Proliferation of GCs was quantified using immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and demonstrated that, unusually, cuboidal cells divided more than flat cells.

The transcriptional corepressor RIP140 regulates oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Nuclear receptor signaling plays an important role in energy metabolism. In this study we demonstrate that the nuclear receptor corepressor RIP140 is a key regulator of metabolism in skeletal muscle. RIP140 is expressed in a fiber type-specific manner, and manipulation of its levels in null, heterozygous, and transgenic mice demonstrate that low levels promote while increased expression suppresses the formation of oxidative fibers.

Analysis of epitopes on endometrial epithelium by scanning immunoelectron microscopy.

Scanning immunoelectron microscopy was applied to human endometrial epithelium for the first time to simultaneously determine epitope localisation and cellular architecture. The method was established using HMFG1, an antibody to a glycoform of the MUC1 mucin. This was chosen because of the potential importance of MUC1 in connection with endometrial receptivity.