Differential expression of uterine calcium transporter 1 and plasma membrane Ca^sup 2+^ ATPase 1b during rat estrous cycle

• Published in: American journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism 2006-08, Vol.291 (2), p.9
• Main Authors: Hoe-Jin, Kim, Lee, Geun-Shik, Youn-Kyu Ji, Kyung-Chul Choi, Eui-Bae Jeung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcium; Gene expression; Progesterone; Proteins; Reproductive system; Rodents
• ISSN: 0193-1849; 1522-1555

Calcium-related proteins include the calcium transporters 1 and 2 (CaT1 and CaT2), plasma membrane Ca^sup 2+^-ATPase lb (PMCA1b), and calbindin-D9k and -D28k. The expression of CaT1 and PMCA1b and their potential roles in the uterine tissue remain to be clarified. Thus, in the present study, the expression patterns of CaT1 and PMCA1b were examined to predict their roles in rat uterus during the estrous cycle. Both CaT1 and PMCA1b mRNAs were detected in rat uterus. Uterine CaT1 mRNA was highly expressed at diestrus compared with proestrus, whereas PMCA1b expression was not altered during the estrus cycle. To evaluate the sex steroids involved in uterine CaT1 mRNA regulation, 17ß-estradiol (E^sub 2^) and/or progesterone (P^sub 4^) were injected into immature rats. Treatment with P^sub 4^ or E^sub 2^ plus P^sub 4^ resulted in an increase in CaT1 mRNA, but a synergetic effect of E^sub 2^ plus P^sub 4^ was not detected. Uterine CaT1 mRNA was induced by P^sub 4^ in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with maximal transcript detected 12 h after the final P^sub 4^ injection. Treatment with RU486, a progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist, completely blocked P^sub 4^-induced CaT1 mRNA, indicating that P^sub 4^ regulates CaT1 mRNA expression via a PR-mediated pathway. In addition, CaT1 mRNA was expressed in uterine endometrium and glandular endometrium at diestrus in P^sub 4^-treated rats. Together, these results suggest that CaT1 is regulated by P^sub 4^ at diestrus via a PR-dependent pathway. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]