title: Gene expression and localization of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) in reproductive tissues during early pregnancy of cattle.
abstract: The enzyme 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone to its inactive form, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone, and this enzyme has an important role in the regulation of luteal function in mammals. It has previously been determined that the 20α-HSD gene is primarily expressed by large luteal cells during the late stage of the estrous cycle. In the present study, the amounts of mRNA were determined in cultured cells of the corpus luteum (CL) cells. The localization of 20α-HSD was also determined in ovaries, placenta, and endometrium during early pregnancy. The amount of 20α-HSD mRNA in cultured luteal cells increased with time and by treatment with the luteolysis agent prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Immunofluorescence assays detected increased protein in cultured luteal cells. The 20α-HSD mRNA and protein were present in the ovaries, placenta, and endometrium on Days 30, 60, and 90 of pregnancy. In particular, gene expression was much greater in the ovary than in the placenta and endometrium. Immuno-histochemical analysis indicated that bovine 20α-HSD was primarily localized in ovarian large luteal cells, placental cytotrophoblast villus, and glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium during early pregnancy. Furthermore, in situ analyses demonstrated colocalization of 20α-HSD mRNA and protein. Taken together, results of the present study indicate that 20α-HSD mRNA and protein are co-localized in large luteal cells, the placenta, and the endometrium during early pregnancy, suggesting that 20α-HSD regulates mechanisms involved in the maintenance of early pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bio and Information Technology, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Ansung 456-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bio and Information Technology, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Ansung 456-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Hoseo University, Asan 336-795, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bio and Information Technology, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Ansung 456-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Animal Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bio and Information Technology, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Hankyong National University, Ansung 456-749, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ksmin@hknu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D015089:20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D021381:Protein Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015089:20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
keywords: Bovine 20α-HSD; Early pregnancy; Endometrium; Localization; Ovary; Placenta