Sharrow L, Tinker D, Davidson J M, Rucker R B
Department of Nutrition, University of California Davis 95616.
Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1989 Nov;192(2):121-6. doi: 10.3181/00379727-192-42965.
The relative levels of elastin-specific mRNA were used as a measure of tropoelastin expression in uteri from pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. The levels of elastin-specific mRNA were also correlated with values for net tropoelastin production and net deposition of mature, crosslinked elastin. The total content of uterine elastin increased throughout gestation, reaching maximal levels at Day 19 of gestation, which were three times those of nongravid tissue. Following involution, the elastin content decreased rapidly to near baseline values by 5 days postpartum. The content of soluble elastin, estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, paralleled in part the increase in elastin deposition and elastin mRNA levels. Uterine elastin metabolism appears to be unlike that in other elastic tissues, e.g., lung and large blood vessels. In most elastin containing tissues, the protein is synthesized during discrete developmental periods and is not readily degraded. However, uterine elastin is continuously expressed, and appears to be in a continual cycle of degradation and replacement.
弹性蛋白特异性mRNA的相对水平被用作衡量妊娠斯普拉格-道利大鼠子宫中前弹性蛋白表达的指标。弹性蛋白特异性mRNA的水平也与净前弹性蛋白产生值以及成熟交联弹性蛋白的净沉积值相关。子宫弹性蛋白的总含量在整个妊娠期增加，在妊娠第19天达到最高水平，是非妊娠组织的三倍。 involution后，弹性蛋白含量在产后5天迅速下降至接近基线值。使用酶联免疫吸附测定法估计的可溶性弹性蛋白含量部分与弹性蛋白沉积和弹性蛋白mRNA水平的增加平行。子宫弹性蛋白代谢似乎与其他弹性组织（如肺和大血管）不同。在大多数含弹性蛋白的组织中，蛋白质在离散的发育阶段合成，且不易降解。然而，子宫弹性蛋白持续表达，并且似乎处于持续的降解和替代循环中。
