Abstract
Hox genes are well-known transcriptional regulators that play an essential role
in directing embryonic development. Mice that are homozygous for a targeted
disruption of the Hoxa10 gene exhibit uterine factor infertility. We have
recently demonstrated that HOXA10 is expressed in the adult human uterus. To
examine expression of HOXA10 during the menstrual cycle, Northern blot analysis
and in situ hybridization were performed. Expression of HOXA10 dramatically
increased during the midsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle, corresponding to
the time of implantation and increase in circulating progesterone. Expression of
HOXA10 in cultured endometrial cells was stimulated by estrogen or progesterone.
Stimulation of HOXA10 by progesterone was concentration-dependent within the
physiologic range, and the effect of estrogen was inhibited by cycloheximide.
These results identify sex steroids as novel regulators of HOX gene expression.
HOXA10 may have an important function in regulating endometrial development
during the menstrual cycle and in establishing conditions necessary for
implantation in the human.
Authors
HS Taylor, A Arici, D Olive, P Igarashi
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