COPS5 negatively regulates goat endometrial function via the ERN1 and mTOR-autophagy pathways during early pregnancy

In ruminant, adequate endometrial function is a major factor affecting implantation and economic efficiency. However, the precise mechanisms regulating goat endometrial function during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy are still unclear. Here, we investigated the functional role and signal transduction of the fifth component of the constitutive photomorphogenic-9 signalosome (COPS5) in the regulation of endometrial function in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). Our results showed that hormones decreased COPS5 expression, and COPS5-mediated regulation of endometrial function. We also found that knockdown of COPS5 hindered EECs proliferation by the G1-phase cell cycle arrest. Hormones affected the activity of COPS5 through hormones receptors, while feedback from the expression of COPS5 regulated the transcription of the receptor. Moreover, knockdown of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to nucleus signaling 1 (ERN1) via si-ERN1 partly inhibited endometrial function in shCOPS5 EECs. In addition, blocking the mTOR pathway by rapamycin promoted endometrial function in si-ERN1-transfected shCOPS5 EECs. Overall, these results suggest that COPS5 negatively regulates goat endometrial function via the ERN1 and mTOR-autophagy pathways and provide new insights into the mechanistic pathways of COPS5 during female reproductive development.