Transcription factors and ovarian functions.

This study represents a first review of contemporarily knowledge concerning involvement of transcription factors in control of different ovarian functions. After introduction of basic functions and classification of transcription factors, the available data concerning involvement of transcription factors in control of the following ovarian events are present: follicular development and selection, ovarian cell proliferation and cancerogenesis, ovarian cell apoptosis, ovarian secretory activity, oocyte/cumulus maturation, ovulation and luteogenesis, mediation effect of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. The importance of transcription factors of Smad family, of forkhead transcription factor (Fox) family, of breast cancer-associated genes/transcription factor, hypoxia-induced transcription factors and of other transcription factors in control of these processes has been demonstrated. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.