Abstract

The B cell translocation gene (BTG) family regulates gene transcription and cellular differentiation and inhibits proliferation. The present study investigated the spatiotemporal expression pattern of BTG members and their potential role in the rat ovary during the periovulatory period. Immature female rats (22-23 d old) were injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin to stimulate follicular development. Ovaries or granulosa cells were collected at various times after hCG administration (n = 3 per time point). Real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA for Btg1, Btg2, and Btg3 were highly induced both in intact ovaries and granulosa cells by 4-8 h after hCG treatment, although their temporal expression patterns differed. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that Btg1 mRNA expression was highly induced in theca cells at 4 h after hCG, primarily localized to granulosa cells at 8 h, and decreased at 24 h. Btg2 and Btg3 mRNA was also induced in granulosa cells; however, Btg2 mRNA was observed in newly forming corpora lutea. Inhibition of progesterone action and the epidermal growth factor pathway did not change Btg1 and Btg2 mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis or RUNX activity diminished Btg2 mRNA levels. Overexpression of BTG1 or BTG2 arrested granulosa cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and decreased cell apoptosis. In summary, hCG induced Btg1, Btg2, and Btg3 mRNA expression predominantly in the granulosa cell compartment. Our findings suggest that the induction of the BTG family may be important for theca and granulosa cell differentiation into luteal cells by arresting cell cycle progression.