Chromosomal mapping and quantitative analysis of estrogen-related receptor alpha-1, estrogen receptors alpha and beta and progesterone receptor in the bovine mammary gland

• Published in: Journal of endocrinology Vol. 185; no. 3; pp. 593 - 603
• Main Authors: Connor, E E, Wood, D L, Sonstegard, T S, da Mota, A F, Bennett, G L, Williams, J L, Capuco, A V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester BioScientifica 01.06.2005; Portland Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Chromosome Mapping; Chromosomes, Mammalian; dairy cows; ERRalpha Estrogen-Related Receptor; estrogen receptor alpha; Estrogen Receptor alpha - genetics; estrogen receptor beta; Estrogen Receptor beta - genetics; estrogen-related receptor alpha-1; estrogens; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; genes; Hormone metabolism and regulation; hormone receptors; immunohistochemistry; Immunohistochemistry - methods; lactation; Lactation - metabolism; mammary development; mammary glands; Mammary Glands, Animal - growth & development; Mammary Glands, Animal - metabolism; messenger RNA; Pituitary Gland - metabolism; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - metabolism; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; progesterone; progesterone receptr; receptors; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - genetics; Receptors, Estrogen - genetics; Receptors, Progesterone - genetics; Regular papers; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; transcription factors; Vertebrates: reproduction; Ox; Chromosome; Steroid hormone receptor; Mapping; Gene expression; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Adult animal; Female; Artiodactyla; Mammary gland; Localization; Ungulata; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0022-0795; 1479-6805; 1479-6805
• DOI: 10.1677/joe.1.06139

Steroid receptors are key transcriptional regulators of mammary growth, development and lactation. Expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR), and estrogen-related receptor alpha-1 (ERRβ) have been evaluated in bovine mammary gland. The ERRα is an orphan receptor that, in other species and tissues, appears to function in the regulation of estrogen-response genes including lactoferrin and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and in mitochondrial biogenesis. Expression of ERα, ERβ, PR and ERRα was characterized in mammary tissue obtained from multiple stages of bovine mammary gland development using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Expression was evaluated in prepubertal heifers, primigravid cows, lactating non-pregnant cows, lactating pregnant cows and non-lactating pregnant cows (n=4 to 9 animals/stage). In addition, ERα, ERβ, PR and ERRα were mapped to chromosomes 9, 10, 15 and 29 respectively, by linkage and radiation hybrid mapping. Results indicated that expression of ERα, PR and ERRα was largely coordinately regulated and they were present in significant quantity during all physiological stages evaluated. In contrast, ERβ transcripts were present at a very low concentration during all stages. Furthermore, no ERβ protein could be detected in bovine mammary tissue by immunohistochemistry. The ERα and PR proteins were detected during all physiological states, including lactation. Our results demonstrate the presence of ERα, PR and ERRα during all physiological stages, and suggest a functional role for ERRα and a relative lack of a role for ERβ in bovine mammary gland development and lactation.