Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, and Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg.
Reprod Sci. 2009 Jul;16(7):635-41. doi: 10.1177/1933719109332831. Epub 2009 Mar 16.
Forkhead box O proteins have critical roles in a number of cellular processes, including apoptosis. Acetylation and phosphorylation of forkhead box O proteins are posttranslational modifications that attenuate their transcriptional activity. As supracervical fetal membranes are characterized by increased cell death, the aim of this study was to compare the expression of forkhead box O1, acetylated-forkhead box O1, and Ser-256 phosphorylated forkhead box O1 at supracervical and distal site fetal membrane. Fetal membranes overlying the cervix were identified in situ in women undergoing term elective Caesarean section. Immunohistochemistry (n = 7) was used to analyze the protein expression of forkhead box O1, acetylated-forkhead box O1, and Ser-256 phosphorylated forkhead box O1. There was no difference in forkhead box O1 and Ser-256 phosphorylated forkhead box O1 protein expression between the 2 sites. However, when compared with distal site, the intensity and extent of staining of acetylated-forkhead box O1 were greater in amnion and chorion obtained from the supracervical site. In summary, supracervical fetal membranes are characterized by increased acetylated-forkhead box O1 protein expression. Although the precise role and contribution of acetylated-forkhead box O1 in the process of human fetal membrane rupture are unknown, it has been implicated in apoptosis and/or cell cycle regulation.
叉头框 O 蛋白在许多细胞过程中具有关键作用，包括细胞凋亡。叉头框 O 蛋白的乙酰化和磷酸化是翻译后修饰，可减弱其转录活性。由于宫颈上方胎膜的特征是细胞死亡增加，本研究的目的是比较宫颈上方和远端胎膜中叉头框 O1、乙酰化叉头框 O1 和 Ser-256 磷酸化叉头框 O1 的表达。在接受择期剖宫产的妇女中，通过原位识别宫颈上方的胎膜。免疫组织化学（n = 7）用于分析叉头框 O1、乙酰化叉头框 O1 和 Ser-256 磷酸化叉头框 O1 的蛋白表达。2 个部位的叉头框 O1 和 Ser-256 磷酸化叉头框 O1 蛋白表达无差异。然而，与远端部位相比，来自宫颈上方部位的羊膜和绒毛膜中乙酰化叉头框 O1 的强度和范围更大。总之，宫颈上方胎膜的特征是乙酰化叉头框 O1 蛋白表达增加。尽管乙酰化叉头框 O1 在人类胎膜破裂过程中的确切作用和贡献尚不清楚，但它与细胞凋亡和/或细胞周期调节有关。
