The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which is regulated by @entity1379 family members and is considered to take place through voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) on the outer membranes of mitochondria, results in activation of effector caspases, such as @entity185 , which induce apoptosis. We studied the involvement of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in uterine epithelial apoptosis. @entity53 -17beta pellets were implanted into ovariectomized @entity19 and removed 4 days later (Day 0). The apoptotic index (percentage of apoptotic cells) of the luminal epithelium increased markedly, peaking on Day 2, whereas that of the glandular epithelium increased much less. Expression of @entity35019 , 2, and 3 mRNAs increased in the luminal epithelium in correlation with the apoptotic index of the luminal epithelium. No increases in @entity35019 , 2, and 3 mRNA levels were observed in the stroma or muscle, where no apoptosis occurs. @entity35019 protein levels in the uterus also correlated well with the apoptotic index of the luminal epithelium. In addition, the apoptotic index showed good correlation with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activation of @entity185 , which was immunohistochemically detected only in the epithelium, and the mRNA and protein ratios of @entity1380 : @entity1379 and @entity1380 : @entity26667 in the uterus. The present results suggest that the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which is regulated by @entity1379 family members, plays a role in uterine epithelial apoptosis after @entity172 deprivation. The increase in VDAC expression may facilitate the release of cytochrome c during apoptosis.

@entity19 uterine epithelial apoptosis is associated with expression of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels, release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, and the ratio of @entity1380 to @entity1379 or XXXX .

@entity172 :: ('MESH:D004967', 'Chemical') :: ['estrogen'] @entity1380 :: ('12028(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['Bax'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice'] @entity185 :: ('12367(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['caspase-3'] @entity35019 :: ('22333(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['VDAC1'] @entity53 :: ('MESH:D004958', 'Chemical') :: ['Estradiol'] @entity1379 :: ('12043(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['Bcl-2'] @entity26667 :: ('12048(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['Bcl-X']
@entity26667 :: (12048(Tax:10090),Gene) :: ['Bcl-X']
