B-cell translocation gene 2: expression in the rat ovary and potential association with adenine nucleotide translocase 2 in mitochondria.

The B-cell translocation gene 2 (Btg2) is an anti-proliferative tumor suppressor gene that behaves as a transcriptional regulator. The present study investigated gonadotropin induction of Btg2 in the rat ovary and the mechanism of Btg2 action as a partner of mitochondrial protein adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (Ant2). Transient induction of Btg2 as well as Btg1 mRNA levels by LH/hCG was observed in ovarian granulosa cells. Btg2 protein levels were also stimulated by LH/hCG. LH-induced gene expression of Btg2 required ERK signal pathway. Studies of deletion mutants in HeLa cells showed that deletion of Btg2 C-terminus (Btg2/ΔC) abolished the interaction with Ant2. In fact, the expression levels of Btg2/ΔC construct were decreased in mitochondrial fraction. Btg2 was also expressed in mitochondria and interacted with Ant2 in preovulatory granulosa cells. Interestingly, a Btg2/ΔC construct inhibited an action of Btg2 wild-type on ATP and H(2)O(2) production. These findings demonstrate the gonadotropin stimulation of Btg2 in the ovary and, the physical interaction of Btg2 with Ant2 in mitochondria.

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