Characterization of calreticulin expression in mouse endometrium during embryo implantation.
Calreticulin (CRT), a Ca(2+)-binding storage protein and chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum, modulates cell adhesiveness and integrin-dependent Ca(2+) signaling. However, the role of CRT during implantation remains poorly understood. In the present study, we characterized the expression of CRT mRNA and the protein in mouse endometria from pregnancy DI to D7. Real-Time PCR and in situ hybridization results showed that the levels of CRT mRNA in the endometria of pregnant mice were significantly higher than those of non-pregnant mice (P<0.05), and increased gradually from pregnancy DI to D4, reaching the máximum level on D4, followed by a plateau from D4 to D7. Using immunofluorescence histochemistry and western blot, changes of CRT expression in the endometria of pregnant mice were consistent with the expression of CRT mRNA. Furthermore, antisense CRT oligodeoxynucleotide was injected into the uterus horns of pregnant mice (D3) to investígate its effect on embryo implantation. The result showed that the number of implanted embryos markedly decreased in the side of uterine horns receiving antisense CRT oligodeoxynucleotide(í(>)<0.05). These findings suggest that CRT may play an important role in embryo implantation in mice.
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
Shu-Qun
SQ
Cheng
Jun-Lin
JL
He
Yan-Ling
YL
Dong
Xue-Qing
XQ
Liu
Yu-Bin
YB
Ding
Ru-Fei
RF
Gao
Yi
Y
Tan
Qian
Q
Ye
Zhen-Ling
ZL
Tian
Ying-Xiong
YX
Wang
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D037282:Calreticulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D037282:Calreticulin; D012333:RNA, Messenger