The Ras family members follow the blood progesterone level during formation and regression in bovine corpus luteum

Abstract

Ras family members regulate cellular differentiation, proliferation and survival. CL formation and regression are regulated by the blood P4 level. This study investigated the association between changes in Ras family members and the serum P4 level and determined protein interactions among Ras family members, hormone receptors, and angiogenetic and apoptotic factors during formation and regression of the bovine CL. RASAL3 and RASA3 were found using proteomics in CL and were significantly increased in the SPCL compared to the PPCL, whereas RasGEF1B was decreased in the PPCL. Hormone receptors and angiogenetic proteins expression was lower in the PPCL and SPCL than that in the RPCL, but apoptotic proteins were increased in the RPCL. The P4 and estrogen receptors positive correlated with RasGEF1B, R-Ras, and H-Ras through VEGFA, VEGFR2 and Tie2 in STRING database. RasGAP, H-Ras and R-Ras protein expression was increased in the PPCL compared to that in the SPCL, whereas RasGEF expression was decreased. In summary, Ras activation and angiogenesis in the CL were positively correlated with the blood P4 during estrous cylce. These results may increase understanding of Ras biological functions following stimulation of hormones and their receptors during tissue proliferation and degeneration.