| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2196404 | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology | 2012 | 8 Pages |
The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family of proteins are key regulators of growth and differentiation. Members of this family, including multiple TGFβs, activins, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), are expressed from oocytes or their associated follicular somatic cells (granulosa and thecal cells) with cell-type and stage-dependent specificity. Granulosa cells are the target cells for many of these ligands. Granulosa cell-specific knockout mice for all of the receptor-regulated SMADs, as well as the common regulatory SMAD4, have recently been generated and highlight the importance of this family in most stages of folliculogenesis. These models have also uncovered a novel role for the BMPs in suppression of granulosa cell tumor development and metastasis. This review summarizes the phenotypes of these mouse models and their contribution to our understanding of the complexity of BMP function during follicle development.
► We review BMP signaling via the SMAD pathway in female reproductive biology. ► We emphasize the phenotype of SMAD ovarian conditional knockout models. ► BMPs regulate stage-specific ovarian follicle growth and tumor suppression.
