Expression and Subcellular Localization of Metastasis-Associated Protein 1, Its Short Form, and Estrogen Receptors in Rat Placenta

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) and its short form (MTA1s) regulate the function of estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogens, via ERs, affect placental growth and fetal development, a process that may involve MTA1 signaling. Expression of MTA1, MTA1s, ER, and ER genes and proteins in rat placentas was studied on 16, 19, and 21 days of gestation (dg). The ER messenger RNA decreased significantly toward the end of gestation, whereas its protein level increased in the nuclear fraction on 21 dg. Both MTA1 and MTA1s increased with gestation. Decidual, trophoblast giant, glycogen, and villous trophoblast cells expressed MTA1, ER, and ER proteins on all dg with colocalization of MTA1 with ER and ER in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Expression of MTA1 suggests a possible role in regulating placental functions; considering the repressive function of MTA1 on ERs, the expression of MTA1 suggests that placental cells may be less sensitive to estrogens during late pregnancy.