Transcripts encoding free radical scavengers in human granulosa cells from primordial and primary ovarian follicles

Purpose To study the presence and distribution of genes encoding free radical scavengers in human granulosa cells from primordial and primary ovarian follicles. Methods A class comparison study on existing granulosa cell transcriptome from primordial ( n = 539 follicles) and primary ( n = 261) follicles donated by three women having ovarian tissue cryopreserved before chemotherapy was performed and interrogated. Results In granulosa cells from primordial follicles, 30 genes were annotated ‘mitochondrial dysfunction’ including transcripts ( PRDX5 , TXN2 ) encoding enzymatic free radical scavengers peroxiredoxin 5 and thioredoxin 2. Several apoptosis regulation genes were noted ( BCL2 , CAS8 , CAS9 , AIFM1 ). In granulosa cells from primary follicles, mitochondrial dysfunction signalling pathway was annotated. High expression of transcripts encoding the free radical scavenger peroxiredoxin 3, as well as anti-apoptotic enzyme BCL2, was found. Interestingly, PARK7 encoding the deglycase (DJ-1) protein was expressed in granulosa cells from primary follicles. DJ-1 is implicated in oxidative defence and functions as a positive regulator of the androgen receptor and as a negative regulator of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signalling pathway suppressor PTEN. Conclusions The results indicate extensive energy production and free radical scavenging in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles with potential implications for ovarian ageing, cigarette smoking, premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Furthermore, DJ-1 may be involved in androgen responsiveness and the regulation of follicle growth via PI3K/PTEN/AKT signalling pathway regulation in the granulosa cells of primary follicles. The involvement of mitochondrial free radical production in the age-related decline of competent oocytes is becoming apparent.