Estrogen induction of a small, putative K+ channel mRNA in rat uterus.
Estrogen causes dramatic long-term changes in the activity of the uterus. Here we report the molecular cloning of a small (700 base) uterine mRNA species capable of inducing a slow K+ current in Xenopus oocytes. The 130 amino acid protein encoded by this mRNA species has a predicted structure that does not resemble that of previously described voltage-dependent channels from mammalian sources. It is, however, similar to structural motifs found in certain prokaryotic ion channels. The induction of this mRNA by estrogen is rapid; this uterine mRNA species is not detectable in uteri from estrogen-deprived rats, but is substantially induced after 3 hr of estrogen treatment. These results support a critical role for regulation of ion channel expression by estrogen in the uterus.
Pragnell
M
M
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Snay
K J
KJ
Trimmer
J S
JS
MacLusky
N J
NJ
Naftolin
F
F
Kaczmarek
L K
LK
Boyle
M B
MB
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015342:DNA Probes; D004553:Electric Conductivity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011188:Potassium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015342:DNA Probes; D004967:Estrogens; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011188:Potassium