Endocrinology Vol. 138, No. 8 3505-3514
Copyright © 1997 by The Endocrine Society
Expression and Hormonal Regulation of Transcription Factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in the Mouse Ovary1
Markku Heikinheimo2,
Marina Ermolaeva2,
Malgorzata Bielinska,
Nafis A. Rahman,
Naoko Narita,
Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi,
Juha S. Tapanainen and
David B. Wilson3
Childrens Hospital (M.H.), University of Helsinki, 00290
Helsinki, Finland; Departments of Pediatrics (M.H., M.E., M.B., N.N.,
D.B.W.) and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology (D.B.W.), Washington
University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology (J.S.T.), University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland;
Department of Physiology (N.A.R., I.T.H.), University of Turku, 20520
Turku, Finland
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. David B. Wilson, Department of Pediatrics, Box 8116, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Childrens Hospital, 1 Childrens Place, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. E-mail:wilson_d{at}kidsa1.wustl.edu
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Abstract
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Two members of the GATA-binding family of transcription factors, GATA-4
and GATA-6, are expressed in the vertebrate ovary. To gain insight into
the role of these factors in ovarian cell differentiation and function,
we used in situ hybridization to determine the patterns
of expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 in mouse ovary during development
and in response to hormonal stimulation. GATA-4 messenger RNA (mRNA)
was first evident in the ovary around the time of birth. In the adult
ovary, abundant GATA-4 mRNA was detected in granulosa cells of primary
and antral follicles, with lesser amounts of GATA-4 message detected in
theca cells, germinal epithelium, and interstitial cells. Little or no
GATA-4 mRNA was found in corpus luteum. GATA-6 message exhibited a
different distribution in the ovary, with abundant expression evident
in both granulosa cells and corpora lutea. Stimulation of 3-week-old
females with PMSG or estrogen enhanced follicular expression of GATA-4
and GATA-6 transcripts. Subsequent induction of ovulation with human CG
resulted in a decrease in GATA-4 mRNA expression in granulosa cells,
whereas GATA-6 mRNA expression persisted in granulosa cells after
ovulation and in corpora lutea. Moreover, follicular apoptosis was
associated with a decrease in the expression of GATA-4 but not GATA-6
message. Stimulation of cultured gonadal cell lines with FSH resulted
in increased expression of GATA-4 message, whereas GATA-6 mRNA
expression was not affected. In light of these findings, the
established role of other GATA-binding proteins in hematopoetic cell
differentiation and apoptosis, and the presence of conserved GATA
motifs in the promoters of genes expressed selectively in ovary, we
propose that GATA-4 and GATA-6 play distinct roles in follicular
development and luteinization.
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Introduction
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THE MOUSE OVARY consists of germ cells and
stroma cells, including granulosa cells and theca cells, embedded
within a network of interstitial cells. Ovarian development in the
mouse begins with the migration of primordial germ cells along the wall
of the hindgut to the genital ridge at 10.512 days post
coitum (p.c.) (1). Upon arrival in the genital ridge,
the germ cells become closely associated with somatic cells, the
supporting and interstitial cells from the mesonephric region of the
urogenital ridge (2, 3). Epithelial follicular cells (pregranulosa
cells) originate from the germinal epithelium and subsequently encircle
the germ cells. By 23 weeks of life, most of the ovarian cortex is
occupied by primary follicles, consisting of oocytes surrounded by a
single layer of granulosa cells, a basement membrane, and theca cells
(3). Some follicles subsequently enter a growth phase, marked by
granulosa cell proliferation, cavitation of the granulosa cell layer,
and formation of a fluid-filled antral follicle, and the later phases
of this development (from early antral stage) are strictly gonadotropin
dependent (4). However, the vast majority of proliferating follicles
become atretic via the mechanism of apoptosis (5, 6, 7, 8). A small
percentage of surviving late stage (Graafian) follicles undergo the
process of ovulation, after which the granulosa and theca cells become
nonmitotic and form a corpus luteum (9).
Although significant advances have been made in our understanding of
ovarian development and function, the transcription factors that
determine lineage commitment and cell proliferation in the ovary are
not fully understood (10). Among the transcription factors that have
recently emerged as potential regulators of gonadal gene expression and
function are the GATA-binding proteins, a family of structurally
related zinc finger proteins that recognize the consensus sequence
(A/T)GATA(A/G), known as the "GATA" motif, which is an essential
cis-element in the promoters or enhancers of a variety of
genes (11). In Drosophila, a GATA-binding protein known as
dGATAb is expressed in ovarian follicular cells, where it binds and
activates the yolk protein genes Yp1 and Yp2
(12). In vertebrates, six GATA-binding proteins, termed GATA-1, -2, -3,
-4, -5, and -6, have been described (11, 13). The DNA-binding
specificities of different members of the vertebrate GATA-binding
protein family are largely indistinguishable (14, 15), but these
transcription factors exhibit different spatial and temporal expression
patterns and are therefore presumed to serve different functions in the
organism. Through targeted mutagenesis, several of these vertebrate
factors have been shown to be critical regulators of differentiation
(16, 17, 18, 19, 20). For example, GATA-1, -2, and -3, which are expressed in bone
marrow cells, are required for normal hematopoiesis (16, 17, 18, 20).
Moreover, a reduction in GATA-1 expression or activity has been
associated with increased apoptosis in erythroid cells (21, 22, 23).
Northern analysis and RT-PCR assays have shown that two vertebrate
GATA-binding proteins, GATA-4 and GATA-6, are expressed in adult
ovarian tissue and a limited number of other tissues, including heart,
gut epithelium, and yolk sac endoderm (13, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31). The cell types
within the ovary that express these transcription factors have not been
elucidated. Given the established role of GATA-binding proteins in the
regulation of gene expression, differentiation, and apoptosis in
different cell types, it is intriguing to consider the possibility that
transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 participate in the development
and/or function of the mammalian ovary. Additional support for the
notion that GATA-binding proteins are involved in gonadal development
comes from studies of GATA-1, which has been shown to be expressed in a
developmental- and stage-specific manner in Sertoli cells of the testes
(32, 33).
To gain insight into the role(s) of GATA-4 and GATA-6 in ovarian cell
differentiation and function, we have examined the expression of these
factors in the mouse ovary during fetal and postnatal development,
using in situ hybridization. Furthermore, we have determined
the temporal and spatial expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 transcripts in
immature mice treated with hormones to induce synchronized follicular
development and ovulation. Herein we demonstrate that GATA-4 and GATA-6
have distinct patterns of expression during development and in response
to hormonal stimulation.
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Materials and Methods
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Mouse stocks
Except where indicated, ovaries were obtained from female
B6SJLF1/J mice (Jackson Labs, Bar Harbor, ME). Mouse embryos and young
neonatal mice were obtained by mating male and female B6SJLF1/J mice.
For estimating the embryonal age, noon of the day on which the
copulation plug was found was considered as 0.5 days p.c..
Precise staging of dissected embryos was performed using The
Atlas of Mouse Development (34). For animals older than 15 days
p.c., sex was assigned on the basis of microscopic
morphology.
In situ hybridization
Mouse embryos or dissected tissue were washed briefly in PBS and
then frozen in OCT cryopreservation solution (TissueTek, Miles, Inc.,
Elkhart, IN). Frozen sections (10 µm) were fixed in 4%
paraformaldehyde in PBS and subjected to in situ
hybridization as described (35). Tissue sections were incubated with
1 x 106 cpm of [33P]-labeled antisense
or sense riboprobe in a total volume of 80 µl. Antisense and sense
riboprobes against the 5' end of mouse GATA-4 were prepared as
described elsewhere (24, 31). To generate antisense riboprobes for
GATA-6, a plasmid containing a partial length complementary DNA (cDNA)
encoding mouse GATA-6 (30) was linearized with either EcoRV
or PstI and transcribed in vitro with Sp6
polymerase in the presence of [33P]UTP (10003000
Ci/mmol, Amersham Life Sciences, Arlington Heights, IL);
EcoRV digestion yielded a 610 nucleotide probe that
recognized the distal zinc finger domain and 3'-end of the GATA-6
coding region, whereas PstI produced a 140-nucleotide probe
that recognized only the 3'-end of the GATA-6 coding sequence. These
two probes yielded identical results with in situ
hybridization. Sense riboprobe for GATA-6 was generated with T7
polymerase after linearization with BamHI.
Primary cultures of mouse granulosa cells
Mouse granulosa cells were obtained by follicular puncture using
a fine needle as described (36) from 3-week-old immature mice primed
with diethylstilbesterol (DES) 12 µg/day ip for 5 days. The cells
were cultured on plastic dishes in DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS,
L-glutamine (2 mM) and penicillin (100 U/ml),
streptomycin (100 µg/ml), and used for immunohistochemistry after
23 days in culture.
Immunohistochemistry
Cultured granulosa cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde
and subjected to immunohistochemistry using either affinity purified
rabbit antimouse GATA-4 IgG (1 µg/ml) (24, 31) or nonimmune IgG as
the primary antibody. A commercially available avidin-biotin
immunoperoxidase system was employed to visualize bound antibody
(Vectastain Elite ABC Kit). 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride
dihydrate (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO) was used as the chromogen
and the development reaction occurred in the presence of 0.01%
H2O2 and 0.03% NiCl2 (37).
Hormonal stimulation of immature mice
Immature female mice, aged 1921 days, were primed with a
single ip injection of 5 U PMSG. Some of these animals were injected
with 5 IU human CG (hCG) 48 h later. Mice were killed 48 h
after PMSG or 5 h, 16 h, or 5 days after hCG injection to
obtain ovaries containing preovulatory, postovulatory, and luteinized
follicles (38). In the postovulatory group, ovulation was documented by
microscopic demonstration of oocytes in the oviduct. Control animals of
the same age did not receive any hormone injections. Each treatment
group consisted of 69 mice.
Alternatively, immature mice (1923 days) were treated with steroid
hormones, using a modification of a procedure developed for rats (7).
Stocks of DES or testosterone were prepared by suspending the steroids
at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml in 95% mineral oil and 5% ethanol.
Groups of mice were initially primed by twice daily 0.1 ml ip
injections of DES. Two days later, the mice were divided into one of
three treatment groups: the first group continued to receive twice
daily injections of DES (i.e. continued estrogen
stimulation), the second group received no further treatment
(i.e. estrogen withdrawal), and the third group received
twice daily 0.1 ml injections of testosterone (i.e. estrogen
withdrawal plus testosterone treatment). Two days later, the ovaries
were harvested and cryosectioned for in situ hybridization
and apoptosis.
Gonadotropin stimulation of tumor cell lines
MSC-1 Sertoli tumor cells, derived from a transgenic mouse line
bearing a human Müllerian inhibiting substance promoter-SV40
T-antigen transgene (39), were obtained from Dr. M. Griswold
(University of Washington, Seattle, WA). MSC-1 cells were stably
transfected with a cDNA encoding the rat FSH receptor (FSHR) (Eskola,
V., M. Savisalo, A. Rannikko, K. Kananen, R. Sprengel, and I.
Huhtaniemi, unpublished studies). The resultant cells, termed
MSC-1/FSHR, cells were stimulated with recombinant FSH 50 IU/liter for
varying lengths of time. The NT-1 granulosa tumor cell line (passage
no. 4) was derived from transgenic mice bearing an inhibin
subunit
promoter-SV40 T-antigen contruct (40). The cells were stimulated with
recombinant FSH (50 IU/liter), hCG (50 µg/liter), or forskolin (10
µM) for the indicated lengths of time. Total RNA was
isolated using guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction and
analyzed for expression of GATA-4 or GATA-6 message using Northern
hybridization (24). Twenty micrograms of denatured total RNA was
subjected to electrophoresis on a 1% denaturing agarose gel and then
transferred onto nylon membranes (Hybond N, Amersham). The membranes
were hybridized with [32P]labeled cDNA probes for GATA-4
(24) or GATA-6 (27). Hybridization and washing of the membranes were
performed as previously described (24). Hybridization signals were
detected by autoradiography using Kodak X-Omat AR Diagnostic film XAR5.
Autoradiograms were scanned by the Microcomputer Imaging device (MCID,
version 1.2, from Imaging Research, Inc., St. Catherines, Ontario,
Canada) to quantify messenger RNA (mRNA) species.
In situ apoptosis
Parallel sections of ovaries used for in
situ hybridization were subjected to in situ analysis
for apoptosis, using nonisotopic 3'-labeling of DNA in the presence of
terminal transferase and digoxigenin-labeled ddUTP (ApopTag Kit, Oncor
Inc., Gaithersburg, MD). Labeled DNA was detected by fluorescence
conjugated antidigoxigenin antibodies, according to the manufacturers
directions. Sections were lightly counterstained with propidium iodide
and photographed using an Olympus fluorescent microscope.
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Results
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Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 during development of the
mouse ovary
To refine our understanding of the role of GATA-4 and
GATA-6 in ovarian development and function, we used in situ
hybridization to examine the temporal and spatial distributions of
these transcripts in the developing mouse ovary. Similarities and
differences between the patterns of expression of GATA-4 and -6 were
highlighted by performing in situ hybridization for these
two transcripts on adjacent tissue sections. As discussed below, we
observed cell types that exclusively expressed GATA-4 or GATA-6
message, confirming that there was minimal cross-reactivity between the
in situ hybridization probes for these two transcription
factors. In addition, we performed control in situ
hybridization experiments with GATA-4 and GATA-6 sense riboprobes,
which revealed only background staining (data not shown).
In initial studies, we surveyed fetal mouse tissue sections for
expression of GATA-4 or GATA-6 mRNA. Although large amounts of message
for GATA-4 and GATA-6 can be detected in heart and intestinal
epithelium during fetal development (24, 29, 30, 31), only small amounts of
these two transcripts were detected in the fetal ovary between 15 and
18 days p.c. (data not shown). Ovarian expression of GATA-4
mRNA increased around the time of birth (Fig. 1
, A and
B). Expression of GATA-4 by granulosa cells persisted through
subsequent stages of development (see below). The onset of GATA-6 mRNA
expression in the developing ovary was delayed compared with GATA-4;
little GATA-6 message was evident in the ovaries of newborn animals
(Fig. 1
, C and D), and only trace amounts of GATA-6 mRNA were
detectable in granulosa cells of the three week old juvenile ovary (see
below).

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Figure 1. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in newborn
mouse ovary. Bright field (A, C) and dark field (B, D) views of
sections through adnexal tissue are shown. In situ
hybridization demonstrates the presence of GATA-4 (B) but not GATA-6
(D) message in the neonatal ovary (arrow).
Bar, 0.2 µm.
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In the adult ovary, transcripts for both GATA-4 and GATA-6 were readily
detected. Large amounts of GATA-4 message were evident in the granulosa
cells of primary and antral follicles of mature animals (Fig. 2
, C and D). Moderate amounts of GATA-4 expression were
also observed in theca cells, the germinal epithelium, and interstitial
cells of adult ovaries (Fig. 2
, C and D). Expression of GATA-4 mRNA in
the theca cell layer was best appreciated under bright field optics, as
shown in Fig. 3A
. Little or no GATA-4 mRNA expression
was seen in oocytes, oviduct, or uterus. As was the case with GATA-4,
large amounts of GATA-6 mRNA were evident in granulosa cells of adult
animals (Fig. 2
, E and F). Moderate levels of GATA-6 message were also
detected in the germinal epithelium (Fig. 2E
), but no GATA-6 message
was evident in theca cells, interstitial cells, or oocytes (Figs. 2
, E
and F, and 3B). Whereas little GATA-4 mRNA expression was evident in
the corpus luteum of adult animals (Fig. 2D
), abundant GATA-6
expression was detected in luteal tissue (Fig. 2F
). Faint expression of
GATA-6 but not GATA-4 message was seen in the proximal oviduct (Fig. 2
, C and E). Thus, GATA-4 and GATA-6 display differing patterns of
expression in the mouse ovary.

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Figure 2. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in adult
mouse ovary. Bright field (A, B) and dark field (CF) views though
adult ovary and oviduct are shown. In situ hybridization
for GATA-4 mRNA (C, D) reveals expression in granulosa cells, theca
cells, interstitial cells, and germinal epithelium. In
situ hybridization for GATA-6 mRNA (E, F) demonstrates
expression in granulosa cells, germinal epithelium, corpus luteum, and
the oviduct. Abbreviations: cl, corpus luteum; gc, granulosa cells; ge,
germinal epithelium; ic, interstitial cells; ov, oviduct; tc, theca
cells. Bar, 100 µm.
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Figure 3. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNA in theca
cells. Adult mouse ovary sections were subjected to in
situ hybridization for GATA-4 (A) or GATA-6 (B). Bright field
views are shown. The open arrows point to the theca cell
layers surrounding follicles of similar age. Note that GATA-4 but not
GATA-6 is expressed in the theca cell layer. gc, Granulosa cells.
Bar, 30 µm.
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GATA-4 protein is expressed in primary cultures of mouse granulosa
cells
To independently verify the in situ hybridization
findings, primary cultures of mouse granulosa cells were subjected to
immunohistochemistry, using an affinity-purified antibody against
GATA-4 (24, 31, 41, 42). GATA-4 antigen was detected in the nucleus of
the cultured granulosa cells (Fig. 4A
), consistent with
earlier studies showing that GATA-4 localizes to the nucleus in
cardiomyocytes (42, 43) and differentiated F9 embryonal carcinoma cells
(41). Control staining of cultured granulosa cells with nonimmune IgG
yielded only weak, nonspecific, cytoplasmic staining (Fig. 4B
). Thus,
both GATA-4 message and protein are present in mouse granulosa cells.
Because an antibody directed against GATA-6 was not available, we did
not directly assess whether GATA-6 protein is present in granulosa cell
cultures.

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Figure 4. Immunohistochemistry of GATA-4 in primary cultures
of mouse granulosa cells. Granulosa cells were harvested from
DES-primed mice and subjected to immunohistochemistry with either (A)
affinity purified anti-GATA-4 IgG or (B) nonimmune IgG followed by a
peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody. GATA-4 antigen is evident in
the nucleus of the granulosa cells. Bar, 20 µm.
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Expression of GATA-4 and -6 message during follicular maturation,
ovulation, and luteinization
To relate GATA-4 and GATA-6 expression to follicular development
and luteinization, in situ hybridization was performed on
immature (3-week-old) mice treated with PMSG followed by hCG to induce
synchronized follicular growth and ovulation. High and low
magnification views of in situ hybridization analysis on
PMSG/hCG stimulated ovaries are shown in Figs. 5
and 6
, respectively. In unstimulated 3-week-old ovaries,
GATA-4 mRNA was evident in granulosa cells of primary and preantral
follicles (Fig. 5A
), whereas little or no GATA-6 expression was present
in these early follicles (Fig. 5B
). Robust expression of both GATA-4
and GATA-6 mRNA was seen in the granulosa cells of antral follicles
48 h after PMSG injection (Fig. 5
, C and D). Message for GATA-4,
but not GATA-6, was also evident in theca cells 48 h after PMSG
injection. Administration of hCG to PMSG-primed immature mice resulted
in an abrupt decrease in GATA-4 message in granulosa cells of
preovulatory follicles, whereas GATA-4 mRNA expression persisted in
theca cells (Figs. 5E
and 6A
). Within preovulatory follicles present at
5 h post hCG administration, cumulus granulosa cells (immediately
adjacent to the oocyte) expressed more GATA-4 mRNA than granulosa cells
near the follicular basement membrane (Fig. 5E
). This finding is
consistent with previous studies demonstrating that, at later stages of
development, cumulus granulosa cells express different markers and
function differently than mural granulosa cells (10). After ovulation,
granulosa cells expressed little or no GATA-4 mRNA. When hCG was
administered to PMSG-primed immature mice, we observed GATA-6 message
in granulosa cells both before and after ovulation (Figs. 5F
and 6B
).
In contrast to GATA-4 mRNA, GATA-6 message in preovulatory follicles
was more abundant in mural granulosa cells near the basement membrane
than in cumulus granulosa cells. No GATA-6 expression was detected in
theca cells in response to hormonal stimulation. Corpora lutea that
appeared 5 days after stimulation of PMSG-primed juvenile ovaries with
hCG were essentially devoid of GATA-4 message (Figs. 5G
and 6C
) but
expressed significant amounts of GATA-6 (Figs. 5H
and 6D
). The low
magnification views in Fig. 6
emphasize that the hormone-induced
changes in expression of GATA-4/6 are uniform.

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Figure 5. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in
gonadotropin-stimulated juvenile ovaries (high magnification views).
Three-week-old mice were administered gonadotropins (PMSG ± hCG)
to induce follicular maturation and ovulation. At the specified times,
ovaries were harvested, sectioned, and subjected to in
situ hybridization for either GATA-4 (A, C, E, G) or GATA-6 (B,
D, F, H) message. In the unstimulated immature ovary, GATA-4 mRNA was
evident in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles (A,
arrowheads), but little GATA-6 message was present at
this stage of follicular development (B, arrowheads).
Forty-eight hours after PMSG administration, we detected abundant
expression of both GATA-4 (C, arrowheads) and GATA-6 (D,
arrowheads) transcripts in the granulosa cells of antral
follicles. Five hours after administration of hCG to PMSG-primed
ovaries, GATA-4 mRNA expression decreased in the granulosa cells of
preovulatory follicles (E). This decrease in message was more apparent
in granulosa cells near the basement membrane than those near the
oocyte (E, large arrowhead). Expression of GATA-4 mRNA
in theca cells was readily seen at this stage of maturation (E,
small arrowheads). GATA-6 mRNA expression persisted in
the granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles (F). Five days after
administration of hCG to PMSG-primed ovaries, little or no GATA-4
message was seen in corpora lutea (G, arrows), whereas
GATA-6 message was readily detected in luteal glands (H,
arrows). Bar, 100 µm.
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Figure 6. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in
gonadotropin-stimulated juvenile ovaries (low magnification views).
Three-week-old mice were administered gonadotropins (PMSG ± hCG)
to induce follicular maturation and ovulation. At the specified times,
ovaries were harvested, sectioned, and subjected to in
situ hybridization for either GATA-4 (A, C) or GATA-6 (B, D)
message. Bar, 300 µm.
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GATA-4 and GATA-6 expression in cultured gonadal cell lines
stimulated with gonadotropins
In addition to the studies on intact ovaries, we measured GATA-4
and GATA-6 mRNA expression in two gonadotropin-responsive mouse gonadal
cell lines. First, we employed mouse MSC-1 Sertoli tumor cells that had
been stably transfected with the rat FSH receptor (FSHR) to test
whether transcripts encoding GATA-4 and GATA-6 could be induced by FSH
treatment. Previous studies have shown that MSC-1/FSHR cells respond to
FSH with an increase in cAMP production, whereas nontransfected MSC-1
do not respond to FSH (39). MSC-1/FSHR cells were cultured in
vitro with recombinant FSH for varying lengths of time, and then
GATA-4/-6 expression was determined by Northern analysis (Fig. 7A
). FSH stimulation of MSC-1/FSHR cells resulted in an
increase in the expression of GATA-4 message, whereas GATA-6 mRNA
expression was not affected by FSH treatment. Next, we examined NT-1
cells, a granulosa tumor cell line that exhibits properties of normal
granulosa cells, including expression of endogenous gonadotropin
receptors, steroidogenic enzymes, and inhibin
(40). We stimulated
low passage NT-1 cells with FSH, hCG, or forskolin and measured
GATA-4/-6 expression by Northern analysis (Fig. 7B
). FSH stimulation
resulted in an increase in GATA-4 but not GATA-6 message in NT-1 cells.
Forskolin treatment induced expression of both GATA-4 and GATA-6 in
these cells. Collectively, these results establish that GATA-4 mRNA can
be induced by FSH treatment and show that GATA-4 and GATA-6 are
differentially regulated in gonadal cell lines in response to hormone
treatment.

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Figure 7. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in
hormone-stimulated mouse gonadal tumor cell lines. A, MSC-1/FSHR cells,
prepared by stable transfection of MSC-1 Sertoli cells with the FSH
receptor, were stimulated with FSH (50 IU/liter) for the indicated
lengths of time, and then GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNA levels were determined
by Northern analysis. The first panel shows ethidium bromide staining
of a representative RNA gel. The corresponding Northern blots for
GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNA are shown in the second and third panels,
respectively. The location of the 28S rRNA band is indicated on the
right. The lower panel plots the results of
densitometric quantification (A.D.U., arbitrary density units),
normalized to 28S rRNA levels, for three experiments (mean ±
SEM). *, P < 0.01 and **,
P < 0.001 vs. the corresponding
nonstimulated control group (ANOVA followed by Duncans new multiple
range test). B, NT-1 cells, derived from a granulosa cell tumor, were
stimulated with hCG (50 µg/liter), FSH (50 IU/liter), or forskolin
(10 µM) for 24 h. GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNA levels were
then determined by Northern analysis. The bar graph
shows the results of densitometric quantification, normalized to 28S
rRNA levels, for three experiments (mean ± SEM).
*, P < 0.01 and **, P < 0.001
vs. the corresponding nonstimulated control group (ANOVA
followed by Duncans new multiple range test).
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Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message during follicular
apoptosis
The vast majority of follicles undergo programmed cell death
during maturation (5, 6, 7, 44). Because decreases in expression or
activity of GATA-1 have been associated with apoptosis in erythroid
cells (21, 22, 23), we explored the relationship between ovarian expression
of GATA-4/6 and apoptosis. Adjacent tissue sections of ovary were
subjected to in situ hybridization (Fig. 8
, B
and C) and TUNEL (Fig. 8A
) assays to examine GATA-4 and GATA-6
expression in follicles undergoing programmed cell death. These studies
were carried out on both normal adult ovaries and PMSG/hCG stimulated
juvenile ovaries; identical results were obtained in each case.
Granulosa cells within large and small apoptotic follicles lacked
GATA-4 message (Fig. 8
, A and B). In contrast, granulosa cells within
these same follicles continued to express significant levels of GATA-6
message (Fig. 8
, A and C).

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Figure 8. Expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 message in
apoptotic follicles of the adult mouse. Adjacent tissue sections
through adult ovaries were subjected to a fluorescent TUNEL assay for
apoptosis (A) or in situ hybridization for GATA-4 (B) or
GATA-6 (C) message. Granulosa cells in apoptotic follicles, identified
by green fluorescein isothiocyanate staining, express
GATA-6 but not GATA-4 mRNA (arrowheads). Nonapoptotic
preantral and antral follicles express message for both GATA-4 and
GATA-6.
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We extended these findings by assessing GATA-4 and GATA-6 expression in
granulosa cells undergoing apoptosis in response to estrogen
withdrawal ± testosterone administration (7). Immature female
mice were stimulated for 2 days with repeated injections of DES. This
was followed by one of three treatments: 1) 2 additional days of DES
(i.e. continued estrogen treatment); 2) no further treatment
(i.e. estrogen withdrawal); or 3) 2 days of testosterone
injections (i.e. estrogen withdrawal plus testosterone
administration). Ovaries were then harvested and subjected to in
situ assays for GATA-4 mRNA, GATA-6 mRNA, and apoptosis. Previous
studies have shown that the granulosa cells of estrogen-primed ovaries
undergo atresia in response to either estrogen withdrawal or androgen
administration (7, 44), although the mechanisms underlying this process
remain poorly characterized and may involve other cell types such as
theca cells (10). In immature ovaries exposed to DES for 4 days, we
observed abundant expression of both GATA-4 (Fig. 9A
)
and GATA-6 (Fig. 9B
) mRNA in granulosa cells. There was also
intense expression of GATA-4 message in theca cells and interstitial
cells stimulated for 4 days with DES (Fig. 9A
). Consistent with earlier
observations (7), there were few apoptotic cells in ovaries subjected
to continuous estrogen stimulation (Fig. 9C
). On the other hand,
ovaries subjected to 2 days of DES followed by 2 days of estrogen
withdrawal contained increased numbers of apoptotic follicles (Fig. 9F
). Little GATA-4 mRNA was detected within the granulosa cells of
these apoptotic follicles (Fig. 9D
), whereas GATA-6 message was evident
in these same follicles (Fig. 9E
). That GATA-6 mRNA expression was
observed in these apoptotic follicles argues that the down-regulation
of GATA-4 message does not merely reflect the end stages of cell death,
but rather part of the programmed response to estrogen withdrawal. In
DES-primed ovaries treated with testosterone, there were large numbers
of severely atretic, TUNEL-positive follicles (Fig. 9I
). These
follicles had thin granulosa cell layers, likely reflecting the end
stages of cell death. These severely atretic follicles expressed
neither GATA-4 (Fig. 9G
) nor GATA-6 (Fig. 9H
) message.

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|
Figure 9. GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNA expression in granulosa
cells undergoing apoptosis in response to estrogen withdrawal ±
androgen administration. Immature (3-week-old) female mice were
stimulated for 2 days with repeated injections of DES, followed by one
of three treatments: (AC) 2 additional days of DES
(i.e. estrogen control), (DF) no further treatment
(i.e. estrogen withdrawal), or (G-I) 2 days of
testosterone injections (i.e. estrogen withdrawal plus
testosterone administration). Ovaries were then harvested and subjected
to in situ assays for GATA-4 mRNA (A, D, G), GATA-6 mRNA
(B, E, H), or apoptosis (C, F, I). gc, Granulosa cells (apoptotic); ic,
interstitial cells.
|
|
Thus, apoptosis of granulosa cells is associated with an abrupt
decrease in GATA-4 expression, whereas GATA-6 expression persists.
These findings, together with the developmental expression patterns
described above, suggest that GATA-4 message is expressed in
potentially mitotic granulosa cells but not in terminally
differentiated (i.e. luteal) or apoptotic cells, whereas
GATA-6 mRNA is present in nonmitotic, terminally differentiated cells
and apoptotic cells.
 |
Discussion
|
|---|
We have determined the expression of transcription factors GATA-4
and GATA-6 in the mouse ovary during development and in response to
hormone stimulation. GATA-4 message is abundantly expressed in
granulosa cells and to a lesser extent in germinal epithelium, theca
cells, and interstitial cells of adult ovaries. PMSG or estrogen
stimulation of intact, immature ovaries is associated with increased
expression of GATA-4 mRNA in granulosa cells. Induction of ovulation in
PMSG-primed ovaries with hCG is accompanied by a decrease in GATA-4
message in granulosa cells, and GATA-4 mRNA remains low in regressing
follicles and luteal tissue. In vitro stimulation of a
granulosa and Sertoli tumor cell lines with FSH is also associated with
increased expression of GATA-4 message. Follicular atresia via
apoptosis is associated with an abrupt decrease in expression of
GATA-4. Hence, GATA-4 is expressed in potentially mitotic cells and
once these cells become terminally differentiated (from granulosa to
luteal cells) or apoptotic, expression is lost. The pattern of GATA-6
mRNA expression in the ovary differs from that of GATA-4. Proliferating
granulosa cells express GATA-6 mRNA, but this message is absent from
theca cells and interstitial cells. In contrast to GATA-4, induction of
ovulation is not associated with decreased expression of GATA-6 in
granulosa cells. Moreover, corpus luteum expresses abundant GATA-6
message, and follicular apoptosis is not associated with an abrupt
decrease in GATA-6 message. Thus, GATA-6 is expressed in nonmitotic,
terminally differentiated cells and in apoptotic cells.
Our findings suggest that GATA-4 and GATA-6 play roles in the
regulation of ovarian development. On the basis of these expression
patterns, we propose that GATA-4 may control genes involved in
maturation and/or maintenance of granulosa cells within early follicles
(i.e. before ovulation). Alternatively, expression of GATA-4
may serve to prime early follicular cells for the transition to late
maturation or apoptosis. The abrupt decrease in GATA-4 associated with
ovulation or apoptosis indicates that this factor is not required for
the late stages of follicular development, apoptosis, or luteinization.
It is possible that GATA-4 functions as a cell survival factor in
granulosa cells, analogous to the proposed role of GATA-1 as an
antiapoptosis factor in erythroid cells (23). Like GATA-4,
transcription factor GATA-6 may regulate genes involved in granulosa
cell function. That GATA-6 message is abundantly expressed in granulosa
cells both preovulation and post ovulation suggests a unique function
for this member of the GATA-binding family in the late stages of
follicular development.
Previous studies have documented that GATA-4 and GATA-6 are coexpressed
in a variety of tissues, including myocardium and gut epithelium (13, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31). Overlap in the distributions of GATA-4 and GATA-6
transcripts in the heart, gut, and granulosa cells of the ovary raises
the possibility of interplay between these two transcription factors.
Members of the GATA-binding protein family have been shown to form
homodimers (45, 46), heterodimers with other GATA-binding proteins (46, 47), and complexes with other classes of transcription factors (47, 48), including steroid hormone receptors (21, 22). Given their patterns
of expression, it is conceivable that GATA-4 and GATA-6 associate with
one another or with steroid hormone receptors in granulosa cells of
primary and antral follicles, although at present there is no direct
evidence to support this hypothesis. That the activity of the
prototypical GATA-binding protein, GATA-1, can be modified by
heterodimerization with the estrogen receptor (21, 22) raises that
possibility that the activity of GATA-4 or GATA-6 in ovarian cells is
regulated through interactions with steroid hormone receptors.
Of interest, the "erythroid" transcription factor GATA-1 has been
shown to be expressed in a developmental- and stage-specific manner in
Sertoli cells of the mouse testes (32, 33), although the target genes
for GATA-1 in the testes have not been elucidated. Sertoli cells in the
male are functionally analogous to granulosa cells in the female,
suggesting that the role of GATA-1 in Sertoli cells may be similar to
the role of GATA-4 or GATA-6 in granulosa cells.
Target genes for GATA-4 and GATA-6 in the ovary have not yet been
established, but several genes expressed selectively in ovarian
granulosa cells contain GATA motifs in their promoters (10, 49), as
discussed elsewhere (33). The genes encoding inhibin
and aromatase
are of particular interest because these genes are involved in
gonadogenesis and reproduction, are expressed in granulosa cells, and
contain pairs of GATA sites that have been conserved across species.
Whether GATA-4 and GATA-6 act as positive or negative regulators at
these sites is currently unknown. Proof that these and other genes are
bona fide targets for GATA-4 or GATA-6 in vivo awaits formal
genetic tests [e.g. knockout studies or antisense
inhibition experiments (50)].
 |
Acknowledgments
|
|---|
We thank Dr. M. Griswold for providing MSC-1 cells.
 |
Footnotes
|
|---|
1 This research was supported by a Yamagiwa-Yoshida Memorial
International Cancer Study Grant from the International Union Against
Cancer (to M.H.), the University Central Hospital in Helsinki (to
M.H.), the Novo Nordisk Foundation (to M.H. and J.S.T.), the Sigrid
Juselius Foundation (to J.S.T. and I.T.H.), the American Heart
Association (to D.B.W.), NIH Grant HL-52134 (to D.B.W.), and the March
of Dimes (to D.B.W.). 
2 The first two authors contributed equally to this work. 
3 Established Investigator of the AHA. 
Received January 13, 1997.
 |
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