title: Localization of B4GALNT2 and its role in mouse embryo attachment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the location of β-1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase II (B4GALNT2) and the involvement of this protein and Sd(a) antigen in embryonic implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell and animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult outbred Institute for Cancer Research mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  B4GALNT2 antibody injected into the uteri of mice in early pregnancy; E3.5 blastocysts and pregnant uterine tissues were collected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Embryo attachment was assayed via in vitro and in vivo embryo implantation models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The b4galnt2 gene expression in the 293T cell line showed the protein localized in the plasma membrane. We confirmed that B4GALNT2 was localized on the surface of E3.5 blastocysts but was an intracellular component in uterine epithelia. Finally, anti-B4GALNT2 and lectins inhibition assays demonstrated the involvement of B4GALNT2 and Sd(a) antigen in embryonic attachment in vitro and in vivo via the mouse system and human endometrial cell line (Ishikawa).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  B4GALNT2 expressed in the blastocyst may interact with a ligand on the endometrial surface, perhaps via Sd(a) also, to permit embryo implantation. Our data suggest that B4GALNT2 and Sd(a) antigen are essential for embryo implantation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Tzu
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chi-Jr
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Lung-Chi
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wen-Guey
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sin Tak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D017350:N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D008024:Ligands; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D017350:N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases; C071413:beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 2