Ma Xiang, Fan Lu, Meng Yan, Hou Zheng, Mao Yun-Dong, Wang Wei, Ding Wei, Liu Jia-Yin

Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, and The Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, People's Republic of China.

Mol Hum Reprod. 2007 Aug;13(8):527-35. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gam036. Epub 2007 Jun

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility, affecting 5-10% of females of reproductive age. Currently, little is known about the changes in whole proteins between PCOS and normal ovaries. In the present study, a proteomic approach comprised two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis and mass spectroscopy was used to identify proteins and examine expression patterns in three PCOS and normal ovaries. One hundred and ten protein spots were separated and showed different intensities between PCOS and normal ovaries. Sixty-nine proteins associated with cellular metabolism and physiological process were identified from 72 spots. Fifty-four proteins were up-regulated in PCOS ovaries and 15 other proteins were up-regulated in normal ovaries. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the complexity in the regulation of ovarian protein expression in human PCOS, and will provide important insight for a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying this clinical disorder.

Galazis Nicolas, Olaleye Olalekan, Haoula Zeina, Layfield Robert, Atiomo William

Division of Human Development, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, United Kingdom. ngalazis@gmail.com

Fertil Steril. 2012 Dec;98(6):1590-601.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.08.002.

OBJECTIVE: To review and identify possible biomarkers for ovarian cancer (OC) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Systematic literature searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane using the search terms "proteomics," "proteomic," and "ovarian cancer" or "ovarian carcinoma." Proteomic biomarkers for OC were then integrated with an updated previously published database of all proteomic biomarkers identified to date in patients with PCOS. SETTING: Academic department of obstetrics and gynecology in the United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): A total of 180 women identified in the six studies. INTERVENTION(S): Tissue samples from women with OC vs. tissue samples from women without OC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Proteomic biomarkers, proteomic technique used, and methodologic quality score. RESULT(S): A panel of six biomarkers was overexpressed both in women with OC and in women with PCOS. These biomarkers include calreticulin, fibrinogen-gamma, superoxide dismutase, vimentin, malate dehydrogenase, and lamin B2. CONCLUSION(S): These biomarkers could help improve our understanding of the links between PCOS and OC and could potentially be used to identify subgroups of women with PCOS at increased risk of OC. More studies are required to further evaluate the role these biomarkers play in women with PCOS and OC.