Uterine Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is required for implantation.
Successful implantation relies on precisely orchestrated and reciprocal signaling between the implanting blastocyst and the receptive uterus. We have examined the role of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway during the process of implantation and demonstrate that this pathway is activated during two distinct stages. Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is first transiently activated in circular smooth muscle forming a banding pattern of activity within the uterus on early day 4. Subsequently, activation is restricted to the luminal epithelium at the prospective site of implantation. Activation at both sites requires the presence of the blastocyst. Furthermore, inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling interferes with the process of implantation. Our results demonstrate that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays a central role in coordinating uterus-embryo interactions required for implantation.
Mohamed
Othman A
OA
Department of Biology, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1A1.
Jonnaert
Maud
M
Labelle-Dumais
Cassandre
C
Kuroda
Kazuki
K
Clarke
Hugh J
HJ
Dufort
Daniel
D
D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
C495267:CTNNB1 protein, mouse; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004967:Estrogens; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D001616:beta-Galactosidase