The c-ets1 protooncogene is expressed in human trophoblast during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Expression of the c-Ets1 protooncogene which codes for a transcription factor is associated with neovascularization and invasive processes. In order to determine c-Ets1 expression at the mRNA level, during the process of implantation during the first trimester of human pregnancy, samples of trophoblast were retrieved at the time of legal abortion and processed for in situ hybridization. We found that c-Ets1 mRNAs are transcribed in the endothelial cells of villous trophoblast and in the extravillous trophoblastic cells invading the uterine vessels. However, no transcript was found in maternal endothelial cells. We conclude that c-Ets1 plays a role in angiogenesis occurring in the development of the villous tree and is involved during the invasive process of the endometrium and maternal vessels by trophoblastic cells; this latter physiological event is crucial for a normal development of the fetus, its failure leading to pathological cases. We suggest that the role of the c-Ets1 protooncogene is related to the regulation of metalloproteinase genes transcription, a gene family which is known to be a target for Ets protein.
Luton
D
D
Maternity unit, Robert Debre Hospital, Paris, France.
Sibony
O
O
Oury
J F
JF
Blot
P
P
Dieterlen-Lièvre
F
F
Pardanaud
L
L
D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000502:physiology; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
D018952:Antigens, CD34; C494041:ETS1 protein, human; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D014157:Transcription Factors