Actin-binding proteins undergo major alterations during the plasma membrane transformation in uterine epithelial cells

Autor: Vera Terry, Cedric D. Shorey, Christopher R. Murphy, Tim Shaw
Rok vydání: 1996
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Anatomical Record. 246:71-77
ISSN: 1097-0185
0003-276X
DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199609)246:1<71::aid-ar8>3.0.co;2-i
Popis: Background: The apical surface of uterine epithelial cells undergoes a dramatic transformation during early pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that cytoskeletal actin microfilaments are associated with this transformation, but little is known of the role played by actin- binding proteins or which of the many described in other cell types are present in uterine epithelial cells. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies raised against four different actin-binding proteins (a-actinin, tropomyo- sin, gelsolin, and vinculin) was used to study the changing distribution of these proteins in uterine epithelium during early pregnancy in the rat. Results: Findings indicated the presence of all four of the actin-binding proteins in the uterine epithelium. The distribution of tropomyosin re- mained unchanged over the period of early pregnancy. Gelsolin and a-ac- tinin displayed similarity in distribution. Day 1 showed an apicobasal lo- calisation of reaction product, which by day 6 of pregnancy had concentrated into a thick band across the luminal surface of the cells. Vin- culin staining was a diffuse band at the level of the basal plasma membrane at day 1 and became a diffuse faint band across the apical part of the cells on day 6. Concluswns: This study confirms the presence of actin-binding proteins in uterine epithelial cells, and these findings are discussed in light of known ultrastructural alterations in the uterine epithelium during early preg- nancy. Elucidation of the role of the actin-based cytoskeleton in the uterine epithelium may further our understanding of the dynamics of this unique environment that allows the implantation of a blastocyst.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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