title: Evidence for cycle-dependent expression of full-length human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA in human endometrium and decidua.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of full-length and truncated hCG/LH-receptor mRNA in human endometrium and decidua.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary university center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy because of benign diseases or induced abortions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolation of RNA from endometrial samples, reverse transcription, selective preamplification of full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA and several shorter fragments of the receptor gene (exons 1-11, 1-10, and 1-5), nested polymerase chain reaction with internal primers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appropriately sized cDNA product confirmed by sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All samples derived from the proliferative as well as from the early and mid-luteal phases were positive for all four amplification products, suggesting the expression of a full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA. Only 5 of 8 samples derived from the late secretory phase and 2 of 12 samples derived from early decidua amplified the entire receptor sequence. In contrast, the shortest fragment (exons 1-5), coding for part of the extracellular receptor domain, was amplified in all samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest cycle-dependent regulation of hCG/LH-receptor mRNA by changes in the alternative splicing pattern and down-regulation of full-length hCG/LH receptor mRNA in early decidua. The major splicing site appears to be located between introns 5 and 9. Alternative splicing may be a mechanism regulating hCG/LH-receptor down-regulation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. peter.licht@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Licht
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Wolff
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berkholz
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wildt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D001706:Biopsy; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone