AUTHOR=Wang Jinglei , Chen Hanying , Zhang Yongsheng , Shen Hong , Zeng Xiancun 

TITLE=Long non-coding RNA Loc105611671 promotes the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and steroid hormone production upregulation of CDC42

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1366759

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2024.1366759

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Granulosa cells (GCs) are essential for follicular development, and long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are known to support the maintenance of this process and hormone synthesis in mammals. Nevertheless, the regulatory roles of these lncRNAs within sheep follicular GCs remain largely unexplored. This study delved into the influence of a <italic>Loc105611671</italic>, on the proliferation and steroid hormone synthesis of sheep ovarian GCs and the associated target genes <italic>in vitro</italic>. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) gain-of-function experiments indicated that overexpression of <italic>Loc105611671</italic> significantly boosted GCs proliferation, along with estrogen (E<sub>2</sub>) and progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) levels. Further mechanistic scrutiny revealed that <italic>Loc105611671</italic> is primarily localized within the cytoplasm of ovarian granulosa cells and engages in molecular interplay with <italic>CDC42</italic>. This interaction results in the upregulation of <italic>CDC42</italic> protein expression. Moreover, it was discerned that increased <italic>CDC42</italic> levels contribute to augmented proliferation of follicular granulosa cells and the secretion of E<sub>2</sub> and P<sub>4</sub>. Experiments involving co-transfection elucidated that the concurrent overexpression of <italic>CDC42</italic> and <italic>Loc105611671</italic> acted synergistically to potentiate these effects. These findings provide insights into the molecular underpinnings of fecundity in ovine species and may inform future strategies for enhancing reproductive outcomes.</p>