Synthesis and secretion of proteins by the human proliferative, secretory, decidual and hyperplastic endometrium

Human endometria were analysed for the synthesis and secretion of proteins following short term culture of human endometrial tissue in the presence of 35S-methionine. During the menstrual cycle secretory proteins of molecular weight (MW) 30, 35, 45, 50, 59, 74, 97 and 135 kDa showed increased synthesis during the proliferative phase. The synthesis of these proteins decreased in the secretory phase but the induction of a 26 kDa protein in the early secretory phase and a 28 kDa protein in the late secretory phase was observed. The synthesis of the above secretory proteins of the human endometrium was also confirmed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis. Further, the results demonstrated that the secretory protein profile of human decidual endometria and endometria exhibiting irregular ripening was identical to that of normal secretory phase endometria. But, endometria exhibiting hyperplasia, cystic glandular hyperplasia and adenomatous glandular hyperplasia presented similar secretory protein profiles which were identical with the secretory protein profile of normal proliferative phase endometrium. The present study confirms that a number of proteins are synthesised by the human endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. It also provides data for the first time on the proteins secreted by the endometria exhibiting irregular ripening, hyperplasia, cystic glandular hyperplasia and adenomatous glandular hyperplasia.