Insulin-like growth factor II activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protooncogenic protein kinase 1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase cell Signaling pathways, and stimulates migration of ovine trophectoderm cells

Endocrinology. 2008 Jun;149(6):3085-94. doi: 10.1210/en.2007-1367. Epub 2008 Mar 13.

Abstract

IGF-II, a potent stimulator of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and development, regulates uterine function and conceptus growth in several species. In situ hybridization analyses found that IGF-II mRNA was most abundant in the caruncular endometrial stroma of both cyclical and pregnant ewes. In the intercaruncular endometrium, IGF-II mRNA transitioned from stroma to luminal epithelium between d 14 and 20 of pregnancy. IGF-II mRNA was present in all cells of the conceptus but was particularly abundant in the yolk sac. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that phosphorylated (p)-protooncogenic protein kinase 1, p-ribosomal protein S6 kinase, p-ERK1/2, and p-P38 MAPK proteins were present at low levels in a majority of endometrial cells but were most abundant in the nuclei of endometrial luminal epithelium and conceptus trophectoderm of pregnant ewes. In mononuclear trophectoderm cells isolated from d-15 conceptuses, IGF-II increased the abundance of p-pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1, p-protooncogenic protein kinase 1, p-glycogen synthase kinase 3B, p-FK506 binding protein 12-rapamycin associated protein 1, and p-ribosomal protein S6 kinase protein within 15 min, and the increase was maintained for 90 min. IGF-II also elicited a rapid increase in p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 MAPK proteins that was maximal at 15 or 30 min posttreatment. Moreover, IGF-II increased migration of trophectoderm cells. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that IGF-II coordinately activates multiple cell signaling pathways critical to survival, growth, and differentiation of the ovine conceptus during early pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Female
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / physiology*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 90-kDa / physiology*
  • Sheep
  • Uterus / physiology*
  • Vasectomy
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 90-kDa
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases