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Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Isoforms in the Rat Uterus During Pregnancy: Accumulation of Precursor proNGF

Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Isoforms in the Rat Uterus During Pregnancy: Accumulation of Precursor proNGF

Edgar Lobos, Claudia Gebhardt, Annett Kluge, Katharina Spanel-Borowski

Endocrinology. 2005 Apr;146(4):1922-9.

PMID: 15637294

Abstract:

The mechanisms that promote the transient degenerative changes in the uterus innervation during pregnancy remain incompletely understood. Signaling by the nerve growth factor (NGF)-beta is important for maintaining the density of peripheral sympathetic innervation. Here, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of NGF isoforms in the rat uterus using RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry during pregnancy (d 7, 14, and 21), and postpartum (d 1, 8, and 22). Western blot analysis using antibodies to mature NGF-beta and to proNGF domain demonstrated a significant decrease in mature NGF-beta at gestational d 14 and 21 (term pregnancy) and 1 d postpartum, which paralleled a remarkable accumulation of the 26-28-, 32-, and 60-kDa proNGF forms. There were diminished ratios of mature NGF-beta to proNGF independent of uterus growth on the same gestational days. Immunohistochemistry revealed a progressive NGF-beta decline throughout pregnancy in the myometrium and a near absence at term pregnancy, which contrasted with increased NGF immunostaining in the intermyometrial connective tissue layers. More importantly, proNGF-specific antibodies identified the increased NGF immunoreactivity in the intermyometrial layers at term pregnancy as proNGF and not mature NGF-beta. Alterations in the processing of NGF and accumulation of proNGF in the intermyometrial layers, where axonal degeneration occurs, may contribute significantly to the pregnancy-related uterine denervation and to the control of myometrial activity.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP86923980	NGF-β from rat		86923-98-0	Price

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