Abstract
BackgroundATF6α, one of the sensor proteins in the stress signaling pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum, is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. To date, the physiological function of ATF6α in the process of embryo implantation has not been reported.MethodsIn this study, the expression pattern of ATF6α in the mouse uterus during peri-implantation and the estrous cycle was detected by real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry.ResultsATF6α mRNA and protein levels were higher in the uterus near the implantation site on day 5 and were intensely expressed in the secondary decidual zone (SDZ) on days 7–8. In the uteri of pseudopregnant mice, ATF6α mRNA and protein levels were lower on day 5 than on other days. The activating blastocyst and artificial decidualization had an obvious effect of increasing the expression of ATF6α. In addition, the expression of ATF6α was affected by progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) in ovariectomized mice. This finding is further supported by evidence from mice during the estrous cycle.ConclusionsThus, we have concluded that ATF6α may play an important role during embryo implantation and decidualization.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12958-016-0199-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
ATF6α, one of the sensor proteins in the stress signaling pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum, is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum
The expression levels of ATF6α mRNA and protein were significantly increased from day 1 to day 5, with the highest levels detected in the pregnant uterus on day 5 within the implantation site (P < 0.01, Fig. 2a–c)
On pregnancy day 5, a large number of endometrium luminal, glandular epithelial and stromal cells with immunostaining of ATF6α were present in the uterus with an implantation site, whereas the positive immunostaining of ATF6α was hardly observed in these cells in uteri without an implantation site (Fig. 1, D5I–D5N)
Summary
ATF6α, one of the sensor proteins in the stress signaling pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum, is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. The physiological function of ATF6α in the process of embryo implantation has not been reported. Embryo implantation is a complex process for the successful mammalian pregnancy and is affected by various factors [1,2,3]. The precise coordination between blastocyst activation and maternal endometrium receptivity is the most important step [4]. Once the apposition of the activated blastocyst is complete, the processes of adhesion and invasion must be initiated successively. A battery of physiological changes occurs in the cells and tissues of the uterus during early pregnancy, including morphological changes and the secretion of cytokines or proteins related to embryonic development and uterine receptivity [5, 6]. Many molecular modulators have been identified as important for embryo
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