Oct-4 expression in human endometrium.
The transcription factor Oct-4 is crucial for the maintenance of cell pluripotency and is known to be expressed in embryonic stem cells, germ cells and whole embryos at various stages of development. Oct-4 regulates cell fate in a dose-dependent manner and plays a key role in germ-cell tumours. In the past, several stem-cell markers have been detected, and their role in the pathogenesis of diseases has been discussed frequently. Thus, we investigated the expression of Oct-4 comparing its occurrence in endometrium of healthy and diseased women using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR. IHC demonstrated Oct-4 expression in 25 of 60 sections (42%), respectively in 11 out of 25 patients (44%). Oct-4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in all tested samples (9 of 9) of endometrium, although the levels of expression varied. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating Oct-4 expression in human endometrium.
Matthai
C
C
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
Horvat
R
R
Noe
M
M
Nagele
F
F
Radjabi
A
A
van Trotsenburg
M
M
Huber
J
J
Kolbus
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011897:Random Allocation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D012333:RNA, Messenger