Galactose-binding lectins as markers of pregnancy-related glycoproteins.
Protein extracts from pregnant mouse endometria were compared with those obtained from non-pregnant and pseudopregnant mice to detect early pregnancy-specific galactose-rich glycoproteins. Gradient gel electrophoresis combined with lectin overlay and lectin histochemistry were used to identify Ricinus communis I (RCA-I), R. communis II (RCA-II) and Cytisus scoparius (CSA) lectin binding glycoproteins. Using this approach, galactose-rich glycoproteins were identified that were maximally expressed in the estrus phase of non-pregnant endometria and also those that had peak expression in pregnancy. Lectin histochemistry revealed pregnancy related changes in three portions of mouse endometrium: endometrial glands, luminal epithelium and its basement membrane. Two major glycoproteins (RCA-I reactive 64 kDa and RCA-II reactive 35 kDa) were specifically expressed in peri-implantation endometrium on days 3 and 4 of pregnancy. The appearance of these glycoproteins during the period of the implantation window in mouse suggests that they could serve as markers of uterine receptivity to the implanting blastocyst.
Horvat
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Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015415:Biomarkers; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D037102:Lectins; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D012276:Ricin; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D012276:Ricin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D005690:Galactose