title: Glycodelin: a reproduction-related lipocalin.
abstract: Glycodelin, a human lipocalin, is a major endometrial protein with at least two differentially glycosylated isoforms. Glycodelin-A (GdA) is purified from human mid-trimester amniotic fluid, where it is secreted from the decidualized endometrium. Glycodelin-S (GdS) is synthesized in the male reproductive tract, mainly in the seminal vesicles, and secreted into seminal plasma. These two glycodelin isoforms, glycosylated in a completely different manner, serve as a good model for studying the effects of glycosylation on protein function and physicochemical properties. We have reviewed here the structure, expression and biological functions of glycodelin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. mervi.halttunen@huch.fi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halttunen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kämäräinen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koistinen
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003267:Contraception; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008598:Menstruation; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger