Temporal and cell-type specific expression of c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes in the mouse uterus after estrogen stimulation.
Employing immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we studied the temporal and cell type specific localization of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins and the corresponding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) elicited by a single 17beta-estradiol (E2) injection in the uteri of castrated adult mice. Cellular expression of mRNAs was in parallel with the synthesis of proteins within 1 h. E2 stimulated the c-fos expression rapidly and transiently in the epithelium and vascular endothelium. A second small peak of c-Fos protein and c-fos mRNA expression occurred around 11-13 h in the epithelium. No detectable amount of c-fos transcript and protein was present throughout the time course (0-24 h) in the stromal and myometrial cells. E2 treatment caused differential c-jun expression in all uterine cell types. In the epithelium, c-jun mRNA and protein expression was decreased during 1-6 h post injection, and thereafter returned showing small peak around 11-13 h. Induction of c-Jun protein and c-jun mRNA was evident in the stromal and myometrial cells at 2-3 h, and then the expression gradually decreased and returned to nearly control level by 24 h. E2 treatment induced rapid and transient activation of c-jun in the vascular endothelium. Present results suggest that transient increase of c-Fos and decrease of c-Jun protein at the early phase and coexpression of these proteins at the late phase contribute the proliferation of endometrial epithelium in mature mice. Furthermore, c-Fos and c-Jun expression in the vascular endothelium at the early phase may participate in the uterine imbibition.
Yamashita
S
S
Keio Junior College of Nursing, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Takayanagi
A
A
Shimizu
N
N
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D016762:Genes, fos; D016758:Genes, jun; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004958:Estradiol