Pan-cadherin concentrates apically in uterine epithelial cells during uterine closure in the rat.
The ubiquitous cadherin probe, pan-cadherin was used to study changes in the distribution of cadherins in the plasma membrane of rat uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy when the uterine lumen closes down. A major reorganisation of cadherin expression was observed to occur in uterine epithelial cells between days 1 and 6 of pregnancy with a clear shift in molecular distribution from a basal location on day 1 to a distinctly and almost exclusively apical distribution by day 6 of pregnancy when the blastocyst is attached. We suggest these results indicate participation of this molecule in closure of the uterine lumen, a phenomenon well-known to occur in the rat uterus during early pregnancy and in which apical surfaces of opposing uterine epithelial cells cohere.
Hyland
R A
RA
Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Shaw
T J
TJ
Png
F Y
FY
Murphy
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins