title: GRP78 expression and immunohistochemical localization in the female reproductive tract of mice.
abstract: The 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) is an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, with multiple functional roles in protein processing and provision of cellular protection. However, the physiological role of GRP78 in embryo development is not clear. Localization of GRP78 and expression of its mRNA in the reproductive organs throughout the estrous cycle in mice were investigated by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Whereas there was intense staining for GRP78 in the oviduct at estrus, the ciliated cells of isthmus had better staining than those of infundibulum and ampulla at all phases of the cycle. Furthermore, GRP78 was located in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells throughout the estrous cycle, particularly during the estrus phase. However, levels of GRP78 mRNA in the oviduct and uterus varied during the cycle, with peaks at estrus. In conclusion, GRP78 expression varied with the phase of the murine estrous cycle; this might be related to gamete transport, fertilization and early development of the zygote/embryo.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary*; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; C000717248:Hspa5 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger