Citation

Although previous studies suggest membrane progesterone receptor alpha (mPR/Paqr7) mediates 17, 20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) induction of oocyte maturation (OM) in zebrafish, critical information needed to establish mPR as the receptor mediating OM is lacking. The relative potencies of progestins and specific mPR agonists in inducing OM matched their relative binding affinities for zebrafish mPR, supporting its role in OM. Microinjection of pertussis toxin blocked DHP induction of OM and the progestin-induced decrease in cyclic AMP levels, suggesting mPR activates an inhibitory G protein (Gi). Microinjection of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides to zebrafish pgrmc1 blocked induction of OM by DHP which was accompanied by decreased levels of Pgrmc1 and mPR on the oocyte plasma membranes. Similarly, treatment of denuded oocytes with a PGRMC1 inhibitor, AG205, blocked the gonadotropin-induced increase in plasma membrane mPR levels and attenuated DHP induction of OM. Co-incubation with two inhibitors of epidermal growth factor Erbb2, ErbB2 inhibitor II and AG 879, prevented induction of OM by DHP, indicating the likely involvement of Erbb2 in mPR-mediated signaling. Treatment with AG205 reversed the inhibitory effects of the Erbb2 inhibitors on OM and also inhibited insulin-like growth factor-1 induction of OM. Close associations between Pgrmc1 and mPR, and between Pgrmc1 and Erbb2 were detected in zebrafish oocytes with in situ proximity ligation assays. The results suggest progestin induction of OM in zebrafish is mediated through an mPR/Gi/Erbb2 signaling pathway that requires Pgrmc1 for expression of mPR on oocyte membranes and that Pgrmc1 also is required for induction of OM through Erbb2. Copyright 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.