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Epigenetic Mechanisms of Ovarian Gene Regulation

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Reproductive Endocrinology

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Epigenetics refers to alterations in gene function that are heritable between generations of cells or animals and that do not involve a change in the DNA sequence itself [1]. Such alterations occur at the level of chromatin and include post-translational modifications of histone tails and methylation of DNA. In a more narrow sense, epigenetics can be used to describe chromatin altering events within a single cell or groups of cells that leads to changes in gene function in response to hormones or growth factors. This chapter will briefly describe the most common epigenetic marks and review studies of chromatin alterations as they relate to gene function in cells of the developing ovarian follicle and corpus luteum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA

    Holly A. LaVoie

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  1. Holly A. LaVoie
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Correspondence to Holly A. LaVoie .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

     

    Aurora kinases:

    a family of serine/threonine kinases important for cell division

    CBP/p300:

    CREB-binding protein and related E1A binding protein p300

    CEBPβ:

    CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta

    ChIP:

    chromatin immunoprecipitation

    CL:

    corpus luteum

    CoREST:

    corepressor for RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST)

    CYP11A:

    gene coding for P450scc

    CYP17:

    gene coding for cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase

    DNMT1 and DNMT3:

    DNA cytosine-5 methyltransferases 1 and 3

    FOS:

    gene coding for c-Fos

    GATA:

    family of transcription factors that contain a two-zinc-finger motif and bind to the DNA sequence (A/T)GATA(A/G)

    GCN5:

    an histone acetyltransferase

    GRMO2:

    rat granulosa stable cell line

    H2A.X:

    core histone 2A variant

    HATs:

    histone acetyltransferases

    HDAC1/2:

    histone deacetylases 1 and 2

    HDACs:

    histone deacetylases

    HMTs:

    histone methyltransferases

    HP1:

    heterochromatin 1 protein

    HSD3B:

    gene(s) coding for 3β-HSD

    JMJD2A-D:

    histone demethylases of the Jumonji family

    JMJD6:

    histone demethylase of the Jumonji family

    KLF13:

    Kruppel-like factor 13

    LDL:

    low-density lipoprotein

    LSD1:

    lysine specific demethylase 1

    MSK1/2:

    mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinases 1 and 2

    NPC1:

    Niemann-Pick C1 gene

    NuRD:

    nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase

    Pak1:

    p21-activated kinase-1

    PCAF:

    p300/CBP-associated factor

    PCOS:

    polycystic ovary syndrome

    PKA:

    protein kinase A

    PP1:

    phosphatase type 1

    PP2A:

    phosphatase type 2A

    PRMTs:

    protein arginine methyltransferases

    rPRL:

    rat placental lactogen

    RSK2:

    ribosomal S6 kinase 2

    SET domain:

    a domain found in some lysine methyltransferases, derived from Drosophilia proteins designated suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste and trithorax

    SF-1:

    transcription factor steroidogenic factor 1, also termed NR5A1

    Sin3:

    a SWI independent corepressor found in complexes with HDACs

    Sin3A:

    Sin3 family member A

    SNF2L:

    nucleosome-remodeling ATPase

    Sp1 and Sp3:

    transcription factor specificity proteins 1 and 3

    SRC-1:

    steroid receptor coactivator

    STAR:

    gene coding for steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein

    STAT:

    signal transducers and activators of transcription

    SWI:

    SWItch proteins, part of chromatin remodeling ATPase complexes

    TAF250:

    an histone acetyltransferase

    TSA:

    trichostatin A, an HDAC inhibitor

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    LaVoie, H.A. (2009). Epigenetic Mechanisms of Ovarian Gene Regulation. In: Chedrese, P. (eds) Reproductive Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_24

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