GPCR/EGFR cross talk is conserved in gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis but is uniquely regulated by matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the ovary.

Previous work has demonstrated that cross talk between G protein-coupled LH receptors and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) is essential for LH-induced steroid production in ovarian follicles and testicular Leydig cells. Here we demonstrate that G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)/EGFR cross talk is also required for ACTH-induced steroidogenesis in Y1 adrenal cells. Moreover, we confirm that the signaling pathway from GPCR to Erk activation is conserved in all three steroidogenic tissues. ACTH or LH induces Gα(s), resulting in elevated cAMP and protein kinase A activation. cAMP/protein kinase A then triggers EGFR trans-activation, which promotes Erk signaling and subsequent steroidogenesis. Interestingly, although EGFR trans-activation is conserved in all three tissues, the specific mechanisms regulating this receptor cross talk differ. ACTH and LH trigger matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated release of EGFR ligands in adrenal and gonadal cells, respectively. However, this extracellular, ligand-dependent EGFR transactivation is required only for LH-induced steroidogenesis in ovarian follicles, reflecting the unique requirement of cell-cell cross talk for ovarian steroid production. Furthermore, MMP2 and MMP9 appear to regulate LH-induced steroidogenesis in mouse ovarian follicles, because a specific MMP2/9 inhibitor as well as the MMP2/9 inhibitor doxycycline suppress LH-induced follicular steroid production in vitro. Notably, although EGFR or MMP inhibition minimally affects estrous cycling in female mice, they attenuate ovarian steroidogenesis in response to LHR overstimulation in vivo. These results may have implications with regard to EGFR inhibitor use in various cancers as well as in polycystic ovarian syndrome, where excess LH-driven ovarian androgen production might be controlled by MMP2/9 inhibition.