G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) expression in normal and abnormal endometrium

Reprod Sci. 2012 Jul;19(7):684-93. doi: 10.1177/1933719111431000. Epub 2012 Feb 28.

Abstract

Rapid estrogen effects are mediated by membrane receptors, and evidence suggests a role for both a membrane-associated form of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1; ERα) and G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPER; GPR30). Considering estrogen's importance in endometrial physiology and endometriosis pathophysiology, we hypothesized that GPER could be involved in both cyclic changes in endometrial estrogen action and that aberrant expression might be seen in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. Using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis of normal endometrium, endometrial samples demonstrated cycle-regulated expression of GPER, with maximal expression in the proliferative phase. Eutopic and ectopic endometrium from women with endometriosis overexpressed GPER as compared to eutopic endometrium of normal participants. Ishikawa cells, an adenocarcinoma cell line, expressed GPER, with increased expression upon treatment with estrogen or an ESR1 agonist, but not with a GPER-specific agonist. Decreased expression was seen in Ishikawa cells stably transfected with progesterone receptor A. Together, these data suggest that normal endometrial GPER expression is cyclic and regulated by nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptors, while expression is dysregulated in endometriosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endometriosis / metabolism*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Endometrium / cytology
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / pathology
  • Tissue Banks
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • GPER1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled