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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2008; 14(37): 5701-5706
Published online Oct 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5701
Estrogen and progesterone receptor isoforms expression in the stomach of Mongolian gerbils
Milena Saqui-Salces, Teresa Neri-Gómez, Armando Gamboa-Dominguez, Guillermo Ruiz-Palacios, Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
Milena Saqui-Salces, Teresa Neri-Gómez, Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo, Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF 04510, México
Armando Gamboa-Dominguez, Departamento de Patología, INCMNSZ, México DF14000, México
Guillermo Ruiz-Palacios, Departamento de Infectología, INCMNSZ, México DF 14000, México
Author contributions: Saqui-Salces M, and Camacho-Arroyo I designed research; Saqui-Salces M, and Neri-Gómez T performed research; Gamboa-Dominguez A, and Ruiz-Palacios G provided Mongolian gerbils; Saqui-Salces M analyzed data; and Saqui-Salces M, and Camacho-Arroyo I wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo, Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México DF04510, México. camachoarroyo@gmail.com
Telephone: +52-55-56223869 Fax: +52-55-56162010
Received: May 23, 2008
Revised: July 15, 2008
Accepted: July 22, 2008
Published online: October 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: We studied the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms expression in gastric antrum and corpus of female gerbils and their regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4).

METHODS: Ovariectomized adult female gerbils were subcutaneously treated with E2, and E2 + P4. Uteri and stomachs were removed, the latter were cut along the greater curvature, and antrum and corpus were excised. Proteins were immunoblotted using antibodies that recognize ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR-A and PR-B receptor isoforms. Tissues from rats treated in the same way were used as controls.

RESULTS: Specific bands were detected for ER-alpha (68 KDa), and PR isoforms (85 and 120 KDa for PR-A and PR-B isoforms, respectively) in uteri, gastric antrum and corpus. We could not detect ER-beta isoform. PR isoforms were not regulated by E2 or P4 in uterus and gastric tissues of gerbils. ER-alpha isoform content was significantly down-regulated by E2 in the corpus, but not affected by hormones in uterus and gastric antrum.

CONCLUSION: The presence of ER-alpha and PR isoforms in gerbils stomach suggests that E2 and P4 actions in this organ are in part mediated by their nuclear receptors.

Keywords: Estrogen receptor; Progesterone receptor isoforms; Gerbil; Stomach; Sex steroid hormones