Int. J. Dev. Biol. 56: 809 - 817 (2012)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120146sc

Vol 56, Issue 10-11-12

Special Issue: Female Germ Cells in Development & Tumors

The role of Akt signalling in the mammalian ovary

Published: 6 February 2013

Sandra Cecconi*^,1, Annunziata Mauro², Valerio Cellini¹ and Felice Patacchiola¹

¹Department of Health Sciences, University of L’Aquila and ²Department of Compara-tive Biomedical Science, University of Teramo, Italy

Abstract

The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is involved in many cellular processes including cell growth, survival, proliferation and metabolism. Akt activity is modulated downstream of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) in response to different extracellular stimuli. In the mammalian ovary, Akt collaborates with other kinases in the regulation of coordinate follicle and oocyte development. Akt determines the pool of primordial follicles and the transition from quiescent to growing phase. In addition, the kinase modulates granulosa cell apoptosis throughout folliculogenesis. In oocytes Akt participates in the control of meiosis resumption and, at metaphase II stage, regulates polar body emission and spindle organization. Its inhibition negatively affects preimplantation embryo development. As a consequence of such a central role, Akt dysregulation is associated with several human diseases including infertility and ovarian cancer.

Keywords

Akt, ovary, cell cycle, ovarian cancer, infertility