Expression of a novel C-type lectin in the mouse vagina

Estrogens regulate the proliferation and differentiation of mouse vaginal epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen-induced changes have not been elucidated. The goal of this study was to identify estrogen-responsive genes related to the proliferation and differentiation of mouse vaginal epithelial cells. We used differential display to reveal specific genes regulated by estrogens and identified a transcript that was designated DDV10. DDV10 encodes a membrane protein with a C-type lectin domain in the carboxyl-terminal region; thus, we inferred that it belongs to the C-type lectin family. We analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of DDV10 using RT-PCR, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. Ovariectomy decreased DDV10 mRNA levels, whereas 17beta-estradiol treatment increased expression of DDV10 mRNA in vaginas of ovariectomized mice. DDV10 mRNA was first detected between 20 and 30 d after birth and was found in eye, tongue, stomach, and stratified and cornified vaginal epithelial cells, but not in stromal cells or uterus. DDV10 transcripts were not detected in vaginas of estrogen receptor alpha knockout mice. Taken together, these data suggest that DDV10 encodes a novel, 17beta-estradiol-regulated, C-type lectin in the mouse vagina. DDV10 may play a role in the stratification and/or cornification of epithelial cells during differentiation.