Co-expression of TWIK-Related acid-Sensitive K+ Channel 1 (TASK-1/KCNK3) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha (PDGFRα/Pdgfra) in Adult Mouse Ovary

Background/Objectives: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is a receptor involved in cell growth and differentiation, with unclear roles in ovarian tissues and potential interactions with potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3). This study aims to map PDGFRα expression across mouse tissues and to explore its co-expression with KCNK3 in the ovary. Methods: We visualized PDGFRα expression using RNA-seq data from the genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) BodyMAP across 54 human tissues and cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) data for various mouse tissues. In PDGFRαEGFP mice expressing EGFP in PDGFRα+ cells, histological and fluorescence imaging were used to assess ovarian expression. Immunohistochemistry determined the co-localization of PDGFRα and KCNK3, and qPCR quantified their mRNA levels in the ovary, oviduct, and uterus. Results: PDGFRα showed high expression in human and mouse female reproductive tissues, particularly the ovary. In the PDGFRαEGFP mouse model, PDGFRα was primarily found in the thecal layer and stromal cells, not in granulosa cells or oocytes. Immunohistochemistry indicated that 90.2 ± 8.7% of PDGFRα+ cells also expressed KCNK3 in the ovarian stroma. qPCR revealed lower PDGFRα and KCNK3 expression in the ovary compared to the oviduct and uterus. Conclusions: This study shows that PDGFRα is predominantly expressed in ovarian stromal and theca cells and is highly co-localized with KCNK3, implying a novel role for PDGFRα+ cells in maintaining ionic balance and potentially influencing follicular development and ovarian physiology.