title: Centromere protein b-null mice display decreasing reproductive performance through successive generations of breeding due to diminishing endometrial glands.
abstract: Centromere protein B is a highly conserved constitutive protein found at centromeres. Gene knockout studies in mice have unexpectedly identified Cenpb as a candidate gene involved in uterine function. The present study further explores the role of Cenpb in mice by intermating Cenpb-null mice over several generations. Breeding studies and analysis of uterine tissue indicate that Cenpb-null mice lose reproductive fitness over a number of generations due to a significant reduction in endometrial glands. These results suggest that Cenpb may play an important function in the short- and long-term maintenance of uterine integrity.
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. kerry.fowler@mcri.edu.au
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sibson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: K H A
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Choo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens; D001947:Breeding; D051936:Centromere Protein B; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D023281:Genomics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009929:Organ Size / Q000235:genetics; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; C497927:Cenpb protein, mouse; D051936:Centromere Protein B; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins