Premium
Identification of Growth‐differentiation factor 8 (GDF‐8) in Endometrium of the Golden Hamster
Author(s) -
Huang Yayu,
Wong Chun Lung,
Ho Vicky Wing Ki,
Poon Hong Kit,
Wai Sum O,
Chow Pak Ham
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a223-b
Subject(s) - growth differentiation factor , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , immunostaining , myometrium , biology , hamster , microbiology and biotechnology , endometrium , myocyte , andrology , in situ hybridization , growth differentiation factor 9 , downregulation and upregulation , growth factor , cell growth , immunohistochemistry , endocrinology , medicine , messenger rna , embryo , uterus , immunology , embryogenesis , folliculogenesis , gene , receptor , genetics , bone morphogenetic protein
Growth‐differentiation factor 8 (GDF‐8) currently reported to be present in skeletal muscle only, belongs to the TGF‐£] superfamily. Dysregulation of GDF‐8 is associated with muscular diseases like muscular dystrophy. In the hamster, we have identified GDF‐8 in uterine fluid 72 hours post coitus (h.p.c.) by 2D SDS‐Gel electrophoresis and MALDI‐TOF. Using RT‐PCR, the presence of GDF‐8 was confirmed in uterine tissue and its mRNA level was transiently upregulated at 72 h. p.c. by real‐time PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistological staining localized the transcript and protein to endometrium. We speculated that GDF‐8 may be secreted by endometrial cells to regulate development of myometrium. To verify this, primary cultures of myometial cells was treated with GDF‐8 for 60h and 72h. Using immunostaining, the number of cells expressing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and smooth muscle actin (SMA) was determined. Preliminary results showed that GDF‐8 reduced the proportion of SMA‐positive cells expressing PCNA but had no effect on the number of cells expressing SMA only. We propose that GDF‐8 may inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation and thus regulate muscular development in particular at the time of implantation which is 72 h p.c. in the hamster. Acknowledgement Supported by a CERG grant (CUHK442205/M) from Research Grant Council of Hong Kong.