Changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation of the Cyp11a1(P450scc) promoter region in rat granulosa cells undergoing

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: OKADA Maki 山口大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (90736159)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: エピジェネティクス / プロゲステロン合成 / Cyp11a1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The ovulatory LH surge rapidly alters the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes in granulosa cells. Cyp11a1 is rapidly induced after the LH surge. The rapid shift of estrogen synthesis is to progesterone synthesis after the LH surge is crucial for ovulation and the following luteinization.
We revealed that histone modifications and chromatin remodeling of the Cyp11a1 promoter region are altered in GCs undergoing luteinization during ovulation. These epigenetic changes are involved in the rapid increase of Cyp11a1 expression after the ovulatory LH surge. Our results also show that the C/EBPβ binding site in the proximal promoter region is a novel regulatory region of Cyp11a1 gene in rats.

Free Research Field

生体分子学