Identification of Genes Regulated by PKC${\zeta}$ during Ovulation in the Rat

Our previous study demonstrates a rapid activation of atypical PKC${\zeta}$ by the ovulatory dose of LH/hCG. The present study was therefore designed to identify PKC${\zeta}$ regulated-genes in rat ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells. Preovulatory granulosa cells cultured in the presence of myristoylated PKC${\zeta}$ pseudosubstrate peptide were subjected to identify differentially expressed genes by using anneling control primer RT-PCR. As a result, among sixteen genes identified, six genes (testin, glypican-4, retrovirus SC1, connective growth factor, aminolevulinic acid synthase1 and serum- inducible kinase) were rapidly stimulated by hCG. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that all these genes were rapidly stimulated by hCG and declined thereafter. In situ hybridization analysis revealed the expression of these genes in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. The present study demonstrates time- and cell-specific expression of PKC${\zeta}$-regulated genes, and may imply that these genes play a specific role(s) during LH-induced ovulation.