Genes invoked in the ovarian transition to menopause

Menopause and the associated declines in ovarian function are major health issues for women. Despite the widespread health impact of this process, the molecular mechanisms underlying the aging-specific decline in ovarian function are almost completely unknown. To provide the first gene–protein analysis of the ovarian transition to menopause, we have established and contrasted RNA gene expression profiles and protein localization and content patterns in healthy young and perimenopausal mouse ovaries. We report a clear distinction in specific mRNA and protein levels that are noted prior to molecular evidence of steroidogenic failure. In this model, ovarian reproductive aging displays similarities with chronic inflammation and increased sensitivity to environmental cues. Overall, our results indicate the presence of mouse climacteric genes that are likely to be major players in aging-dependent changes in ovarian function

doi:10.1093/nar/gkl387 Genes invoked in the ovarian transition to menopause

Menopause and the associated declines in ovarian function are major health issues for women. Despite the widespread health impact of this process, the molecular mechanisms underlying the agingspecific decline in ovarian function are almost completely unknown. To provide the first gene– protein analysis of the ovarian transition to menopause, we have established and contrasted RNA gene expression profiles and protein localization and content patterns in healthy young and perimenopausal mouse ovaries. We report a clear distinction in specific mRNA and protein levels that are noted prior to molecular evidence of steroidogenic failure. In this model, ovarian reproductive aging displays similarities with chronic inflammation and increased sensitivity to environmental cues. Overall, our results indicate the presence of mouse climacteric genes that are likely to be major players in aging-dependent changes in ovarian function

DNA array to confirm differential gene expression in young and old ovaries

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Genes invoked in the ovarian transition to menopause"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(11):3279-3287.</p><p>Published online 28 Jun 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1904106.</p><p>© 2006 The Author(s)</p> Identical DNA array membranes containing probes for 440 aging-related mouse genes were probed with individual P-labeled cDNA libraries prepared from () young and () aged ovaries. Lower panels of () and () show an enlargement of the framed membrane portions in the upper panels. Matrix overlay maps the position of the nucleotides for each gene. Positions 62, Leptin; 79, CD36 antigen; 117, unknown EST are examples of decreased levels with aging. Positions 58, peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-a; 105, transcription factor NFκB are examples of increased levels with aging

Western blots of total protein lysates from young and old mouse ovaries

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Genes invoked in the ovarian transition to menopause"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(11):3279-3287.</p><p>Published online 28 Jun 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1904106.</p><p>© 2006 The Author(s)</p> () Proteins with reduced content in old (o) ovaries compared with young ovaries (y); () proteins with higher level in young ovaries; and () no change in protein content. Proteins were visualized with protein-specific antibodies as indicated at the left of the panels. The size (kDa) of the protein marker is indicated at the right of the panels. All lanes received 100 μg of total ovarian lysate. The immunological reactions are visualized by HSP-coupled secondary antibodies