Winterhager E, Stutenkemper R, Traub O, Beyer E, Willecke K
Institut für Anatomie der Universität, Essen/Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Eur J Cell Biol. 1991 Jun;55(1):133-42.
The expression of different connexin genes (cx26, cx32, cx37, cx43) that code for the protein subunits of gap junctions, was investigated in various uterine tissues during the estrous cycle of nonpregnant rats, in pregnant rats at decidualization and at term. Connexin gene expression was studied at the mRNA level by Northern blot hybridization and at the protein level by immunocytochemistry. In gap junctions from uterine epithelium, stroma, or myometrium, connexin 26 and/or connexin 43 are much more abundant than connexins 32 and 37. The expression of connexin 26 and 43 appears to be modulated by maternal steroid hormones. High expression of these connexins is found in developing decidual cells by day 7 to 8 post coitum; furthermore, coexpression of connexins 26 and 43 in myometrium is observed just before delivery on day 21 post coitum. In both the decidua and the myometrium, the connexin 26 protein appears to be distributed in lower abundance than connexin 43. In uterine epithelium only connexin 26 is expressed throughout all of the reproductive phases investigated. The enhanced expression of this gene correlates with higher levels of maternal estrogen both in the proestrus/estrus phase and at term. The distinct spatial and temporal pattern of expression of connexins 26 and 43 in different uterine tissues suggests a physiological role for these proteins during embryo implantation and subsequent contraction of the uterus at birth.
在未孕大鼠发情周期的不同子宫组织中、妊娠大鼠蜕膜化时以及足月时，对编码间隙连接蛋白亚基的不同连接蛋白基因（cx26、cx32、cx37、cx43）的表达进行了研究。通过Northern印迹杂交在mRNA水平以及通过免疫细胞化学在蛋白质水平研究连接蛋白基因表达。在子宫上皮、基质或肌层的间隙连接中，连接蛋白26和/或连接蛋白43比连接蛋白32和37丰富得多。连接蛋白26和43的表达似乎受母体类固醇激素调节。在交配后第7至8天，在发育中的蜕膜细胞中发现这些连接蛋白的高表达；此外，在交配后第21天分娩前，观察到肌层中连接蛋白26和43的共表达。在蜕膜和肌层中，连接蛋白26蛋白的分布似乎比连接蛋白43少。在子宫上皮中，在所有研究的生殖阶段仅表达连接蛋白26。该基因表达的增强与发情前期/发情期以及足月时母体雌激素水平升高相关。连接蛋白26和43在不同子宫组织中独特的时空表达模式表明这些蛋白在胚胎着床以及出生时子宫随后收缩过程中具有生理作用。
