High impact information on GDF9

• In yolk-filled oocytes, the GDF9 was localized at the periphery of the oocyte [1].
• Finally, oocyte-conditioned medium (from < 1-mm oocytes) resulted in a 2-fold increase in granulosa cell proliferation, which could be inhibited by preincubation of the conditioned medium with GDF9 antibody [1].
• We cloned a cDNA for chicken GDF9 (162 base pairs) and used it in Northern blot analysis to identify a transcript at 1.7 kilobase in RNA isolated from the ovary of the hen [1].
• The cDNA clone for chicken GDF9 encodes a protein of approximately 449 amino acids and all six cysteine residues, and three of the four glycosylation sites are conserved with respect to mammalian GDF9 [1].
• Chicken GDF9 is approximately 65% similar in the full-length cDNA sequence and 80% similar in amino acid sequence at the C-terminal region to GDF9 from several mammals [1].

Biological context of GDF9

• Many studies have indicated a critical role for the oocyte growth factor, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), in mammalian follicle development, but no information has been available concerning oviparous species [1].

Anatomical context of GDF9

• Immunocytochemical analysis showed strong expression of GDF9 in hen oocytes [1].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of GDF9

• Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (n = 5) indicated that GDF9 mRNA is greatest in follicles < 1 mm in size compared with larger follicles or granulosa layers isolated from larger follicles [1].

References