マウス視床下部・下垂体・生殖腺系における転写因子Runx3の役割

Runx3 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Runx family. Female Runx3 knockout (Runx3−⁄−) mouse was anovulatory and infertile. Ovarian transplantation experiment suggested that lack of ovulation in Runx3−⁄− mice was caused by alteration of gonadotropin secretion in Runx3−⁄− mice. Cyp11a1 mRNA expression was less in Runx3−⁄− mouse ovaries than in wt ones. Hypothalamic Gnrh1 mRNA was increased, and Kiss1 mRNA expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus was decreased, but Kisspeptin mRNA in the arcuate nucleus was increased in Runx3-/- mice. Pituitary Fshb mRNA levels were increased in Runx3−⁄− mice. Cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme gene (Cyp11a1) expression was decreased in ovaries of Runx3−⁄− mice. These findings suggest that anovulation in Runx3−⁄− mice was partly due to the alterations in hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary system. Runx3 plays a key role in female reproduction through alteration of gonadotropin secretion.

記念講演要旨（Summary of Commemorational Lecture）