Metalloproteinase
Alternative Name: Metalloprotease
Description: Protease-dependent breakdown of the ovulatory follicle is necessary for its rupture and the ovulation of a fertilizable oocyte. Therefore, inhibiting protease activity would serve as an effective contraceptive by blocking oocyte release and fertilization.
Product Details
Status Details
Began discovery in: 2007
Status Details: - Studies are underway to determine if select metalloproteinase family members are critical for ovulation so that more selective inhibitors can be developed.
- A complete and systematic characterization of the primate follicle transciptome led to the identification of all protease encoding genes that are upregulated following an ovulatory stimulus and prior to follicle rupture.
- Injection of a metalloproteinase inhibtior into the nonhuman primate ovulatory follicle blocked its rupture, without affecting subsequent luteal phase length or steroid production.
- Studies are underway to determine if select metalloproteinase family members are critical for ovulation so that more selective inhibitors can be developed.
- A complete and systematic characterization of the primate follicle transciptome led to the identification of all protease encoding genes that are upregulated following an ovulatory stimulus and prior to follicle rupture.
- Injection of a metalloproteinase inhibtior into the nonhuman primate ovulatory follicle blocked its rupture, without affecting subsequent luteal phase length or steroid production.
Additional Information
References: Xu F, Stouffer RL, et al. (2011) Dynamics of the transcriptome in the primate ovulatory follicle. Mol Hum Reprod. 17:152-65.
Peluffo MC, Murphy MJ, et al. (2011) Systematic analysis of protease gene expression in the rhesus macaque ovulatory follicle: metalloproteinase involvement in follicle rupture. Endocrinology. 152:3963-74.
Xu F, Stouffer RL, et al. (2011) Dynamics of the transcriptome in the primate ovulatory follicle. Mol Hum Reprod. 17:152-65.
Peluffo MC, Murphy MJ, et al. (2011) Systematic analysis of protease gene expression in the rhesus macaque ovulatory follicle: metalloproteinase involvement in follicle rupture. Endocrinology. 152:3963-74.