LOCALIZATION OF PROLYL ENDOPEPTIDASE MESSENGER-RNA IN SMALL GROWING FOLLICLES OF PORCINE OVARY

Prolyl endopeptidase (EC3.4.21.26) has been considered a unique intrac ellular enzyme catalyzing internal peptide bond hydrolysis of Pro-X. I n this study, the distribution of prolyl endopeptidase activity and it s mRNA was investigated in the follicles of porcine ovary. Both follic ular fluid and granulosa cell fractions from small follicles showed hi gher activity than those from large follicles. Molecular cloning and N orthern blot analysis suggested that only one species of prolyl endope ptidase gene was expressed in the ovary. In addition, in situ hybridiz ation study revealed that the prolyl endopeptidase mRNA expresssion wa s more noticeable in the granulosa cell layers of small ovarian follic les than in those of large follicles, suggesting its importance in the early stage of follicular development. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.