HOXA10 is expressed in response to sex steroids at the time of implantation in the human endometrium.
Hox genes are well-known transcriptional regulators that play an essential role in directing embryonic development. Mice that are homozygous for a targeted disruption of the Hoxa10 gene exhibit uterine factor infertility. We have recently demonstrated that HOXA10 is expressed in the adult human uterus. To examine expression of HOXA10 during the menstrual cycle, Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization were performed. Expression of HOXA10 dramatically increased during the midsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle, corresponding to the time of implantation and increase in circulating progesterone. Expression of HOXA10 in cultured endometrial cells was stimulated by estrogen or progesterone. Stimulation of HOXA10 by progesterone was concentration-dependent within the physiologic range, and the effect of estrogen was inhibited by cycloheximide. These results identify sex steroids as novel regulators of HOX gene expression. HOXA10 may have an important function in regulating endometrial development during the menstrual cycle and in establishing conditions necessary for implantation in the human.
Taylor
H S
HS
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. hugh.taylor@yale.edu
Arici
A
A
Olive
D
D
Igarashi
P
P
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008598:Menstruation; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000502:physiology; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C092119:Hoxa10 protein, mouse; D004958:Estradiol; D003513:Cycloheximide; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate