Identification of RIP140 as a nuclear receptor cofactor with a role in female reproduction.

Nuclear receptors function as ligand-dependent transcription factors by recruiting cofactors that remodel chromatin and recruit the transcription machinery. RIP140 (receptor interacting protein with a molecular weight of 140 kDa) is a widely expressed corepressor that has the potential to inhibit the transcriptional activity of most, if not all nuclear receptors. Mice devoid of RIP140 indicate that it plays a crucial role in female fertility and in adipose biology. It is essential in the ovary for ovulation, specifically oocyte release but not luteinisation of mature follicles. Our goal is to identify the key nuclear receptor(s) and their target genes responsible for ovulation.