Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Reconstitution Of β-catenin Degradation In Xenopus Egg Extract
09:41

Reconstitution Of β-catenin Degradation In Xenopus Egg Extract

Published on: June 17, 2014

Beta-catenin (CTNNB1) promotes preovulatory follicular development but represses LH-mediated ovulation and

Heng-Yu Fan1, Annalouise O'Connor, Manami Shitanaka

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Molecular Endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.)
|July 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site family (WNT)/beta-catenin (CTNNB1) pathway plays a dual role in ovarian function. While it supports follicle growth stimulated by FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), overactivation impairs LH (luteinizing hormone)-induced ovulation and luteinization.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Molecular endocrinology
  • Cell signaling

Background:

  • Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site family (WNT)/beta-catenin (CTNNB1) pathway components are crucial for female gonad development.
  • The precise in vivo roles of CTNNB1 in preovulatory follicular development, ovulation, and luteinization are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the in vivo functions of CTNNB1 during key stages of ovarian follicle development and function.
  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying CTNNB1's regulation of gonadotropin signaling in granulosa cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a conditional knockout mouse model (Ctnnb1((Ex3)fl/fl);Cyp19-Cre) to express dominant-stable CTNNB1 in granulosa cells.
  • Analyzed follicular growth, atresia, gene expression, and hormonal responses to FSH and LH.
  • Investigated molecular pathways including cAMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation and epidermal growth factor-like factors.

Main Results:

  • Dominant-stable CTNNB1 enhanced FSH-induced follicular growth and reduced granulosa cell apoptosis.
  • Overactivated CTNNB1 repressed LH-induced oocyte maturation, ovulation, luteinization, and progesterone production.
  • CTNNB1 modulated gene expression related to proliferation, estrogen biosynthesis, and steroidogenesis, partly via FOXO1 regulation.
  • Impaired LH response in dominant-stable CTNNB1 granulosa cells was linked to reduced CREB phosphorylation and lower Areg/Ereg levels.

Conclusions:

  • CTNNB1 exhibits context-dependent and stage-specific roles in ovarian function, enhancing FSH action but inhibiting LH action at high levels.
  • Overactivation of CTNNB1 negatively impacts ovulation and luteinization, suggesting a critical balance for female fertility.
  • Interactions between WNT/CTNNB1 signaling and gonadotropin receptors are vital for regulating granulosa cell function and female reproductive success.

More Related Videos

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary07:03

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary

Published on: September 19, 2025

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes12:11

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes

Published on: May 11, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Catenins01:23

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...