Premium
Expression of galectin‐1 mRNA in the mouse uterus is under the control of ovarian steroids during blastocyst implantation
Author(s) -
Choe Young S.,
Shim Chanseob,
Choi Donchan,
Lee Chul Sang,
Lee KyungKwang,
Kim Kyungjin
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199710)48:2<261::aid-mrd14>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - biology , blastocyst , uterus , messenger rna , andrology , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology , galectin , medicine , endocrinology , embryogenesis , gene , genetics
Galectin‐1 is a member of β‐galactoside‐binding lectins expressed in a variety of mammalian tissues. We report here that galectin‐1 mRNA is abundantly expressed in the mouse reproductive organs such as the uterus and ovary. Uterine expression of galectin‐1 mRNA is specifically regulated in the embryonic implantation process. Its expression increased at a high level on the fifth day post coitum (dpc 5) when embryos hatched into the endometrial epithelial cells. In the absence of embryos, however, galectin‐1 expression in the mouse uterus decreased on dpc 5. In the delayed implantation mice, galectin‐1 mRNA level was augmented by the termination of the delay of implantation. Ovarian steroids progesterone and estrogen differentially regulated galectin‐1 mRNA level in uterine tissues. Treatment with RU486, a progesterone receptor antagonist, blocked progesterone‐induced galectin‐1 mRNA level in uterine tissues of ovariectomized mouse. ICI182780, a pure estrogen receptor antagonist, clearly blocked the estrogen effect. Taken together, galectin‐1 gene expression in the uterine tissues was regulated by ovarian steroids and this regulation correlated with the implantation process. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48:261–266, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.