In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure alters Hox gene expression in the developing müllerian system.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was widely used to treat pregnant women through 1971. The reproductive tracts of their female offspring exposed to DES in utero are characterized by anatomic abnormalities. Here we show that DES administered to mice in utero produces changes in the expression pattern of several Hox genes that are involved in patterning of the reproductive tract. DES produces posterior shifts in Hox gene expression and homeotic anterior transformations of the reproductive tract. In human uterine or cervical cell cultures, DES induces HOXA9 or HOXA10 gene expression, respectively, to levels approximately twofold that induced by estradiol. The DES-induced expression is not inhibited by cyclohexamide. Estrogens are novel morphogens that directly regulate the expression pattern of posterior Hox genes in a manner analogous to retinoic acid regulation of anterior Hox genes. Alterations in HOX gene expression are a molecular mechanism by which DES affects reproductive tract development. Changes in Hox gene expression are a potential marker for the effects of in utero drug use that may become apparent only at late stages of development.
Block
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
Kardana
A
A
Igarashi
P
P
Taylor
H S
HS
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects*; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013723:Teratogens; D004958:Estradiol; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D003513:Cycloheximide