Oocyte-Specific Deletion of Pten Causes Premature Activation of the Primordial Follicle Pool

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1152257
• Publication Date: 2008-02-05T00:49:55Z
• Authors: Pradeep Reddy; Lian Liu; Deepak Adhikari; Krishna Jagarlamudi; Singareddy Rajareddy; Yan Shen; Chun Du; Wenli Tang; Tuula Hämäläinen; Stanford L. Peng; Zi-Jian Lan; Austin J. Cooney; Ilpo Huhtaniemi; Kui Liu
• Keywords: Tensin; Premature ovarian failure

In the mammalian ovary, progressive activation of primordial follicles from dormant pool serves as source fertilizable ova. Menopause, or end female reproductive life, occurs when follicle is exhausted. However, molecular mechanisms underlying are poorly understood. We provide genetic evidence that in mice lacking PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) oocytes, a major negative regulator phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), entire becomes activated. Subsequently, all become depleted early adulthood, causing premature ovarian failure (POF). Our results show oocyte headquarters programming PTEN-PI3K pathway governs through control initiation growth.