title: Expression and regulation of ATF6α in the mouse uterus during embryo implantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  ATF6α, one of the sensor proteins in the stress signaling pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum, is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. To date, the physiological function of ATF6α in the process of embryo implantation has not been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the expression pattern of ATF6α in the mouse uterus during peri-implantation and the estrous cycle was detected by real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ATF6α mRNA and protein levels were higher in the uterus near the implantation site on day 5 and were intensely expressed in the secondary decidual zone (SDZ) on days 7-8. In the uteri of pseudopregnant mice, ATF6α mRNA and protein levels were lower on day 5 than on other days. The activating blastocyst and artificial decidualization had an obvious effect of increasing the expression of ATF6α. In addition, the expression of ATF6α was affected by progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) in ovariectomized mice. This finding is further supported by evidence from mice during the estrous cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, we have concluded that ATF6α may play an important role during embryo implantation and decidualization.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yongjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Wenzhe
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Fenglei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China. yapingjin@nwsuaf.edu.cn.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China. yapingjin@nwsuaf.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D051702:Activating Transcription Factor 6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011555:Pseudopregnancy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051702:Activating Transcription Factor 6; C497112:Atf6 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: ATF6α; Decidualization; Estrogen; Implantation; Progesterone; Uterus