Abstract
A survey of the expression of the multidrug-resistance gene (mdr) in mouse tissues revealed that a mdr mRNA species is expressed at extremely high levels in the gravid uterus. mdr mRNA expression levels increase dramatically during pregnancy compared to the relatively low levels of expression observed in the nongravid uterus. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that the increased expression of the mdr mRNA is specifically localized to the secretory epithelial cells of the endometrium. Immunocytochemistry studies with a mdr glycoprotein-specific antiserum demonstrate that the mdr glycoprotein is predominantly localized to the luminal surface of the secretory epithelial cells. These results indicate that the mdr gene expression in the uterus is controlled by the physiologic changes associated with pregnancy. Our data are consistent with a potential role for the mdr glycoprotein in the transport of substrate across the secretory epithelium of the gravid uterus.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4350-4354 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General