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Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Detection of Functional Matrix Metalloproteinases by Zymography
Published on: November 8, 2010
Spatio-temporal expression profile of matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) modulators Reck and Sparc during the rat ovarian
Gabriel Levin1, Tatiane Maldonado Coelho1,2, Nathali Guimarães Nóbrega1
1NUCEL (Cell and Molecular Therapy Center), Internal Medicine Department, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Rua Pangaré, 100, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil.
Background:
Matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and their tissue inhibitors (Timps) are widely recognized as crucial factors for extracellular matrix remodeling in the ovary and are involved in follicular growth, ovulation, luteinization, and luteolysis during the estrous cycle. Recently, several genes have been associated to the modulation of Mmps activity, including Basigin (Bsg), which induces the expression of Mmps in rat ovaries; Sparc, a TGF-β modulator that is related to increased expression of Mmps in cancer; and Reck, which is associated with Mmps inhibition. However, the expression pattern of Mmp modulators in ovary dynamics is still largely uncharacterized.
Methods:
To characterize the expression pattern of Mmps network members in ovary dynamics, we analyzed the spatio-temporal expression pattern of Reck and Sparc, as well as of Mmp2, Mmp9 and Mmp14 proteins, by immunohistochemistry (IHC), in pre-pubertal rat ovaries obtained from an artificial cycle induced by eCG/hCG, in the different phases of the hormone-induced estrous cycle. We also determined the gene expression profiles of Mmps (2, 9, 13 14), Timps (1, 2, 3), Sparc, Bsg, and Reck to complement this panel.
Results:
IHC analysis revealed that Mmp protein expression peaks at the early stages of folliculogenesis and ovulation, decreases during ovulation-luteogenesis transition and luteogenesis, increasing again during corpus luteum maintenance and luteolysis. The protein expression patterns of these metalloproteinases and Sparc were inverse relative to the pattern displayed by Reck. We observed that the gene expression peaks of Mmps inhibitors Reck and Timp2 were closely paraleled by Mmp2 and Mmp9 suppression. The opposite was also true: increased Mmp2 and Mmp9 expression was concomitant to reduced Reck and Timp2 levels.
Conclusion:
Therefore, our results generate a spatio-temporal expression profile panel of Mmps and their regulators, suggesting that Reck and Sparc seem to play a role during ovarian dynamics: Reck as a possible inhibitor and Sparc as an inducer of Mmps.
Insights
This study reveals the dynamic expression of matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and their regulators, Reck and Sparc, during the rat estrous cycle. Reck appears to inhibit Mmps, while Sparc may induce them, impacting ovarian dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Extracellular Matrix Dynamics
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and tissue inhibitors (Timps) are key regulators of ovarian extracellular matrix remodeling.
- Genes like Basigin (Bsg), Sparc, and Reck modulate Mmp activity but their ovarian expression patterns are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the spatio-temporal expression patterns of Mmp network members, including Reck and Sparc, within the ovary.
- To characterize the roles of Reck and Sparc in regulating Mmp activity during ovarian dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to analyze Mmp2, Mmp9, Mmp14, Reck, and Sparc protein expression in rat ovaries during an induced estrous cycle.
- Gene expression profiles of Mmps, Timps, Sparc, Bsg, and Reck were determined to complement protein analysis.
Main Results:
- Mmp protein levels peaked during early folliculogenesis and ovulation, decreasing during luteogenesis and rising again during corpus luteum maintenance and luteolysis.
- Sparc protein expression mirrored Mmp patterns, while Reck expression was inversely correlated.
- Gene expression of Mmp inhibitors Reck and Timp2 correlated with Mmp2 and Mmp9 suppression, and vice versa.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive spatio-temporal expression profile of Mmps and their regulators in the ovary was established.
- Reck is suggested to function as an Mmp inhibitor, and Sparc as an Mmp inducer in ovarian dynamics.
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