BACKGROUND: Heterotrimeric G proteins take part in membrane-mediated cell signalling and have a role in hormonal regulation. This study clarifies the expression and localization of the G protein subunit G alpha(i2) in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube and changes in G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. METHODS: The expression of G alpha(i2) was identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and localization confirmed by immunostaining. Cyclic changes in G alpha(i2) expression during the menstrual cycle were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: We found G alpha(i2) to be expressed in human endometrium, Fallopian tube tissue and in primary cultures of Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Our studies revealed enriched localization of G alpha(i2) in Fallopian tube cilia and in endometrial glands. We showed that G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium changes significantly during the menstrual cycle, with a higher level in the secretory versus proliferative and menstrual phases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: G alpha(i2) is specifically localized in human Fallopian tube epithelial cells, particularly in the cilia, and is likely to have a cilia-specific role in reproduction. Significantly variable expression of G alpha(i2) during the menstrual cycle suggests G alpha(i2) might be under hormonal regulation in the female reproductive tract in vivo.
BACKGROUND: Heterotrimeric G proteins take part in membrane-mediated cell signalling and have a role in hormonal regulation. This study clarifies the expression and localization of the G protein subunit G alpha(i2) in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube and changes in G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. METHODS: The expression of G alpha(i2) was identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and localization confirmed by immunostaining. Cyclic changes in G alpha(i2) expression during the menstrual cycle were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: We found G alpha(i2) to be expressed in human endometrium, Fallopian tube tissue and in primary cultures of Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Our studies revealed enriched localization of G alpha(i2) in Fallopian tube cilia and in endometrial glands. We showed that G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium changes significantly during the menstrual cycle, with a higher level in the secretory versus proliferative and menstrual phases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:G alpha(i2) is specifically localized in human Fallopian tube epithelial cells, particularly in the cilia, and is likely to have a cilia-specific role in reproduction. Significantly variable expression of G alpha(i2) during the menstrual cycle suggests G alpha(i2) might be under hormonal regulation in the female reproductive tract in vivo.
Authors: Anatoliy I Masyuk; Bing Q Huang; Brynn N Radtke; Gabriella B Gajdos; Patrick L Splinter; Tatyana V Masyuk; Sergio A Gradilone; Nicholas F LaRusso Journal: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol Date: 2013-04-11 Impact factor: 4.052