Cyclic bcl-2 gene expression in human uterine endometrium during menstrual cycle.
To investigate an apoptotic role for bcl-2 in menses, we studied bcl-2 protein production throughout the cycle. Bcl-2 protein was observed in endometrial glandular, stromal and myometrial smooth-muscle cells. Glandular cells expressed bcl-2 at proliferative through early secretory phases but not at late secretory through menstrual phases. This cyclic expression of bcl-2 gene was similar to that of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Thus bcl-2 expression in glandular cells may be regulated by ovarian hormones. The disappearance of bcl-2 expression in glandular cells at late secretory phase was consistent with the appearance of apoptotic cells in the same phase.
Otsuki
Y
Y
Department of Anatomy and Biology, Osaka Medical College, Japan.
Misaki
O
O
Sugimoto
O
O
Ito
Y
Y
Tsujimoto
Y
Y
Akao
Y
Y
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone