Pro-apoptotic signals of the bcl-2 gene family in the rat uterus occurs in the night before the day of estrus and precedes ovulation

Although regression of the endometrium during the rat estrous cycle is a well-recognized event, little is known concerning the mechanisms involved in triggering apoptosis in the rat uterine epithelium. In an attempt to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying apoptosis during estrus,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2003-10, Vol.208 (1), p.31-39
Main Authors: Mendoza-Rodrı&#x0301, guez, C.Adriana, Monroy-Mendoza, M.Gabriela, Morimoto, Sumiko, Cerbón, Marco A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Apoptosis (rat endometrium)
bcl-2 gene family
bcl-2-Associated X Protein
Epithelium - chemistry
Epithelium - metabolism
Estradiol - blood
Estrous cycle
Estrus
Female
Menstrual Cycle - metabolism
Ovulation
Proestrus
Progesterone - blood
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - analysis
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - metabolism
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - analysis
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism
Rats
Rats, Wistar
RNA, Messenger - genetics
Signal Transduction
Time Factors
Uterus - chemistry
Uterus - cytology
Uterus - metabolism
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Summary:Although regression of the endometrium during the rat estrous cycle is a well-recognized event, little is known concerning the mechanisms involved in triggering apoptosis in the rat uterine epithelium. In an attempt to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying apoptosis during estrus, we evaluated the expression of several key apoptotic genes of the bcl-2 family during the transition from proestrus to estrus day in the rat. Our results show significant changes in the expression of bcl-2 family genes at midnight before estrus, characterized by a significant increase in the pro-apoptotic ratios: Bax/Bcl-2 and Bcl-x S/Bcl-x L at both mRNA and protein levels. Our results indicate the existence of a positive relation between apoptosis and pro-apoptotic ratios of bcl-2 gene family expression, during the transition from proestrus to estrus day. Importantly, pro-apoptotic signals were detected before ovulation occurred. The overall results suggest that the apoptotic process of the rat endometrium begins at midnight before the day of estrus, may be mediated by Bcl-2 family genes, and precedes ovulation.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/S0303-7207(03)00258-2