The Role of Glucose -6 -Phosphate Isomerase in Implantation in the Ferret (Mustela Putorius)

105 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002.I concluded that GPI is the 60 kilodalton implantation protein. GPI is produced and secreted by ferret CL on days 6--9 of pregnancy in ferrets and is required for embryo implantation. Further study is needed to determine whether prolactin, which is also required for implantation, affects GPI expression by the CL.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase is necessary for embryo implantation in the domestic ferret

The mechanism of implantation in carnivores is poorly understood. However, a previously unidentified 60-kDa protein has been shown to be necessary for embryo implantation in ferrets. Here we identify this protein as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI). GPI is expressed by the corpus luteum on days 6–9 of pregnancy, the time at which implantation-promoting activity has been found in corpora lutea. Passive immunization against GPI reduced the number of implantation sites in pregnant ferrets in a dose-dependent manner. GPI is a multifunctional protein. Although first identified for its role in glycolysis, GPI has since been implicated in neural growth, lymphocyte maturation, and metastasis. This study demonstrates a previously uncharacterized function of this protein that may represent the natural motility-stimulating activity that has been co-opted by tumor cells