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Ezrin and EBP50 redistribute apically in rat uterine epithelial cells at the time of implantation and in response to cell contact

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Abstract

Uterine epithelial cells (UECs) undergo extensive morphological remodelling in preparation for an implanting blastocyst. This remodelling involves changes in the actin cytoskeleton and surface structures including microvilli. Ezrin and ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding protein-50-kDa (EBP50) link actin filaments to intra-membranous adhesion molecules and are important molecules in polarised epithelia. The current study is the first to describe the colocalisation and molecular association of ezrin and EBP50 in rat UECs by using immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoprecipitation techniques. These proteins have also been localised in relation to uterine epithelial cytoskeletal rearrangement during early pregnancy in the rat and to the effect of apical surface contact between opposing epithelial cells, blastocyst contact and contact with a silicon filament. Immunofluorescence microscopy has revealed that ezrin and EBP50 respond to contact between opposing epithelial cells and increase apically on day 6 of pregnancy. This apical distribution is also observed in UECs in contact with a silicon filament. Ezrin and EBP50 are however absent within the implantation chamber itself, seemingly mimicking the events that take place in leucocyte-endothelium binding. Thus, ezrin and EBP50 occur apically in UECs at the time of implantation in the rat and in response to a substitute blastocyst (filament) suggesting a role for these proteins in the cytoskeletal rearrangements that facilitate uterine receptivity and blastocyst-epithelial adhesion. Their loss within the implantation chamber possibly allows the subsequent invasion of the embryo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Anderson Stuart Building F13, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Laura Lecce, Laura A. Lindsay & Christopher R. Murphy

  2. Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Laura Lecce, Laura A. Lindsay & Christopher R. Murphy

Authors
  1. Laura Lecce
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  2. Laura A. Lindsay
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  3. Christopher R. Murphy
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Correspondence to Laura Lecce.

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Fig. S1

Immunolocalisation of ezrin in the uterus of a non-pregnant rat. This image displays similar protein staining to that at day 1 of pregnancy. The uterine epithelial cells (UECs) display an abundance of cytoplasmic staining of ezrin, in addition to an apical concentration of ezrin in cells that contact opposing cells (arrowhead). This apical band is absent from UECs (ep) that face the lumen (L). Bar 30 μm. (GIF 68 kb)

High resolution (TIFF 2459 kb)

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Lecce, L., Lindsay, L.A. & Murphy, C.R. Ezrin and EBP50 redistribute apically in rat uterine epithelial cells at the time of implantation and in response to cell contact. Cell Tissue Res 343, 445–453 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-010-1088-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-010-1088-z

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