Physiological statics specific expression of Lysyl Oxidase(LOX) during early pregnancy in mouse uterus

Abstract

Steroid hormonal levels during early stage of pregnancy are critical in embryo implantation and it leads to open the successful implantation window. Uterine stroma cell undergoes specific changes, called decidualization during implantation. Using microarray methodology, we identified a few genes including LOX which are highly expressed in the 5 day of pregnant uterus of mouse. LOX are copper-dependent monoamine oxidases. The known functions of LOX including follows: regulating cross-linking between collagen and elastin, controlling the structural stability and function of connective tissues, and inhibiting the function of ras. The other known function of LOX is the dual role in suppressor of tumor gene expression and promotor of metastasis. In this study, the expression profiles of Lox and cell specific localization of it were examined using Real time PCR, IHC, and Western Blot assay. Expression profiles of LOX mRNA were dramatically changed by pregnancy and E2 surge. Its expression levels were increased after implantation. LOX protein was localized at luminal and glandular epithelial cells before implantation. It was localized at decidualizing stromal cells after implantation. These results suggest that E2 is the main regulator of Lox expression in the uterus. LOX protein expression profiles showed specio-temporal expression and those results suggest that LOX has a funciton in implantation and uterine stromal cell differentiation