The role of Notch signaling in the mammalian ovary

摘要

The Notch pathway is a contact-dependent, or juxtacrine, signaling system that is conserved in metazoan organisms and is importantin many developmental processes. Recent investigations have demonstrated that the Notch pathway is active in both the embryonicand postnatal ovary and plays important roles in events including follicle assembly and growth, meiotic maturation, ovarianvasculogenesis and steroid hormone production. In mice, disruption of the Notch pathway results in ovarian pathologies affectingmeiotic spindle assembly, follicle histogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival, corpora luteal function and ovarianneovascularization. These aberrations result in abnormal folliculogenesis and reduced fertility. The knowledge of the cellularinteractions facilitated by the Notch pathway is an important area for continuing research, and future studies are expected toenhance our understanding of ovarian function and provide critical insights for improving reproductive health. This review focuses onthe expression of Notch pathway components in the ovary, and on the multiple functions of Notch signaling in follicle assembly,maturation and development. We focus on the mouse, where genetic investigations are possible, and relate this information to thehuman ovary.