Expression of luteal estrogen receptor, interleukin-1, and apoptosis-associated genes after PGF2α administration in rabbits at different stages of pseudopregnancy

Maranesi, M.; Zerani, M.; Lilli, L.; Dall'Aglio, C.; Brecchia, G.; Gobbetti, A.; Boiti, C.

doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2010.03.001

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Volume 39, Issue 2 , Pages 116-130, August 2010

Expression of luteal estrogen receptor, interleukin-1, and apoptosis-associated genes after PGF_2α administration in rabbits at different stages of pseudopregnancy

M. Maranesi
- Department of Veterinary Biopathological Science, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Section of Physiology, University of Perugia, Italy
M. Zerani
- School of Veterinary Medicine Science, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
L. Lilli
- Department of Veterinary Biopathological Science, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Section of Physiology, University of Perugia, Italy
C. Dall'Aglio
- Section of Anatomy, University of Perugia, Italy
G. Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Biopathological Science, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Section of Physiology, University of Perugia, Italy
A. Gobbetti
- School of Bioscence and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Italy
C. Boiti
- Department of Veterinary Biopathological Science, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Section of Physiology, University of Perugia, Italy
- Address correspondence to: Department of Veterinary Biopathological Science, University of Perugia, S. Costanzo 4, I-06126 Perugia, Italy; Phone: +39-075-5857639; Fax: +39-075-5857654

published online 30 April 2010.

Abstract

The dynamic expression for estrogen receptor subtype-1 (ESR1), interleukin-1β (IL1B), and apoptosis-associated genes, as well as nitric oxide synthase activity, were examined in corpora lutea (CL) of rabbits after prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) administration on either day 4 or day 9 of pseudopregnancy. By reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, the steady-state level of ESR1 transcript was lower (P < 0.01) and that of anti-apoptotic B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) -like 1 (BCL2L1) was greater in day 4 (P < 0.01) than in day 9 CL. Western blot analysis revealed that BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) abundance was greater in day 4 (P < 0.01) than in day 9 CL, whereas BCL2L1 protein was undetectable at both luteal stages. After PGF_2α, ESR1 transcript decreased (P < 0.01) in day 9 CL, whereas IL1B mRNA showed a transitory increase (P < 0.01) at both stages. The pro-apoptotic tumor protein p53 (TP53) gene had diminished (P < 0.01) on day 4 and on day 9 after a transitory increase (P < 0.01), whereas the BAX/BCL2L1 expression ratio increased (P < 0.01) in day 9 CL 24 h after treatment. Following PGF_2α, TP53 protein increased (P < 0.01) at both luteal stages, and BAX decreased (P < 0.01) in day 4 CL but increased (P < 0.01) 24 h later in day 9 CL; BCL2L1 became detectable 6 h later in day 4 CL. Nitric oxide synthase activity temporarily increased (P < 0.01) following PGF_2α. These findings suggest that PGF_2α regulates luteolysis by ESR1 mRNA down-regulation and modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways in CL that have acquired a luteolytic capacity.