Protein kinase C isoforms α, δ and ε are differentially expressed in mouse ovaries at different stages of postnatal development

Background: The protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases that consists of 12 different isoforms. Since PKC isoform expressions are known to be specific for different cell types and postnatal developmental stages, we aimed to determine immunolocalizations and protein expression levels of different PKC isoforms in pre-pubertal, pubertal and adult mouse ovaries. Methods: Ovaries were obtained from postnatal day 1 (PND1) and PND7 of pre-pubertal, PND21 of pubertal and PND60 of adult mice. Immunolocalizations of PKC alpha, PKC delta and PKC epsilon isoforms were determined and immunostainings in different cellular components of all follicular stages were evaluated by H-Score. PKC alpha, PKC delta and PKC epsilon protein expression levels were determined by Western blot. The bands were quantified via ImageJ software. The data obtained from H-Score and ImageJ evaluations were analyzed by ANOVA statistical test. Results: PKC alpha immunostainings were more intense in oocytes when compared to granulosa and theca cells at different follicular stages of all groups. The Western blot analysis revealed that PKC alpha expression was significantly higher in PND60 adult ovaries. Conversely, PKC delta immunostainings were more intense in granulosa cells. According to the Western blot analysis, PKC delta protein expression was also higher in PND60 and significantly lower in PND1 ovaries. PKC epsilon immunostaining was more apparent in oocytes. PKC epsilon protein expression was significantly higher in adult PND60 and pubertal PND21 ovaries when compared to pre-pubertal PND7 and PND1 ovaries. Interestingly, PKC epsilon immunostaining was significantly higher in primordial follicles, though PKC alpha and PKC delta immunostainings were more apparent in larger follicles. PKC alpha immunostainings of corpora lutea (CL) were significantly higher when compared to follicles in PND60 ovaries. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PKC alpha, PKC delta and PKC epsilon isoforms are differentially expressed in particular cellular components of pre-pubertal, pubertal and adult mouse ovarian follicles. Therefore, we suggest that each PKC isoform has unique functions that are controlled by gonadotropin dependent mechanisms during follicular growth, oocyte maturation, ovulation and luteinization.