title: Detection of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in llama (Lama glama) oviduct.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are involved in several reproductive events like oocyte-spermatozoa interaction and semen liquefaction. In order to study their role in the llama oviductal reproductive process, MMP activity in oviductal fluid (OF) was assayed. Considering that llama genome sequences are partially known, a strategy to procure cDNA sequences of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was designed. Afterwards, their expression patterns in the different llama oviductal segments were assayed. Gelatine zymograms detected 62 and 94 kDa protease activities that matched MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9, respectively. Expression pattern analysis showed that MMP and TIMP mRNAs were present in ampulla, isthmus, utero-tubal junction (UTJ) and papilla. Altogether, these findings support the argument that MMPs/TIMPs are produced in the oviduct and secreted into the oviductal lumen. Our results encourage further studies to elucidate the role of these proteins in reproductive oviductal events.
authors.affiliation: INSIBIO (Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zampini
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Argañaraz
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Apichela
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9