Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 8, No. 12, 1087-1095,
December 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Regulation of ovarian function |
Isolation, characterization and expression of the human Factor In the Germline alpha (FIGLA) gene in ovarian follicles and oocytes
1 Academic Unit of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leeds, D Floor, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS, 2 The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 601 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507-1627, USA and 3 Assisted Conception Unit, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS, UK
The Factor In the Germline alpha (FIG
) transcription factor regulates expression of the zona pellucida proteins ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 and is essential for folliculogenesis in the mouse. Using the published mouse Figla sequence, BLAST searches identified a human chromosome 2 BAC clone with high sequence identity. Using PCR primers derived from this clone, amplicons derived from ovarian follicles and mature oocytes revealed 100% identity with the appropriate human BAC clone, the expected homology with the mouse Figla gene sequence, and homology on translation with the FIG protein identified in the Japanese rice fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes). PCR expression profiling of this transcript revealed FIGLA mRNA expression in cDNA derived from ovarian follicles (5/5 samples from the primordial through to the secondary stage) mature oocytes (6/9 samples), and less frequently in preimplantation embryos (2/7 samples). Subsequent BLAST searches revealed the predicted full length coding sequence of the human FIG protein which demonstrates 68 and 25% similarity overall to mouse and medaka proteins respectively, with 96 and 57% identity respectively within the basic helix–loop–helix region. This confirms our identification of the human homologue for this gene which maps to chromosome 2p12. Further work is required to understand its role in normal human oocyte development and the potential involvement in human infertility.
FIG transcription factor/FIGa/FIGLA/oocytes/ovarian follicles/zona pellucida
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: medjhu{at}leeds.ac.uk
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