NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a membrane protein belonging to the interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) protein family. The encoded protein is a component of the interleukin-17 receptor signaling complex, and the interaction between this protein and IL-17R does not require the interleukin (PMID: 19079364). The gene product also affects fibroblast growth factor signaling, inhibiting or stimulating growth through MAPK/ERK signaling (PMID: 21663947, 18096367). [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2011]
General function
Receptor
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Cellular localization
Plasma membrane
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Oocyte, Granulosa, Luteal cells
Comment
Expression and regulation of the tumor suppressor, Sef, during folliculogenesis in humans and mice. Lutwak E 2014 et al.
Sef is a tumor suppressor and an inhibitor of growth factors as well as of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling. In the present study we examined the regulation of Sef expression by gonadotropins during ovarian folliculogenesis. In sexually immature mice, in situ hybridization (ISH) localized Sef gene expression to early developing oocytes and granulosa cells (GC) but not to theca cells. Sef was also expressed in mouse ovarian endothelial cells, in the fallopian tube epithelium as well as adipose tissue venules. Sef protein expression, determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), correlated well with Sef mRNA expression in GC, while differential expression was noticed in oocytes. High Sef mRNA but undetectable Sef protein levels were observed in the oocytes of primary/secondary follicles, while an inverse correlation was found in oocytes of preantral and small antral follicles. Sef mRNA expression dropped after pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) administration, peaked at 6-8 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and declined by 12 h after this treatment. ISH and IHC localized the changes to oocytes and mural GC following PMSG treatment whereas Sef expression increased in mural GC and declined in granulosa-lutein cells upon hCG treatment. The ovarian expression of Sef was confirmed using human samples. ISH localized Sef transcripts to human GC of antral follicles but not to corpora lutea. Furthermore, Sef mRNA was detected in human GC recovered from pre-ovulatory follicles. These results are the first to demonstrate Sef expression in a healthy ovary during folliculogenesis. Hormonal regulation of its expression suggests that Sef may be an important factor involved in intra-ovarian control mechanisms.
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