Oxytocin receptor is regulated by Peg3

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 14;13(8):e0202476. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202476. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Mouse Peg3 encodes a DNA-binding protein involved in the milk letdown process. In the current study, we tested whether PEG3 controls the expression of the oxytocin receptor gene. According to the results, PEG3 directly binds to a genomic region within the 3rd exon of Oxtr, which contains a DNA-binding motif for PEG3. In nursing female mice, removal of PEG3 resulted in the increased expression of Oxtr in mammary epithelial cells and also in the hypothalamus. This suggests a repressor role of PEG3 in the expression of Oxtr in these tissues. Overall, this study suggests that Peg3 may function as a direct transcriptional regulator for Oxtr expression that acts to moderate the milk letdown process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism*
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Lactation / physiology*
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Receptors, Oxytocin / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Oxytocin / genetics
  • Response Elements*

Substances

  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • OXTR protein, mouse
  • Peg3 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Oxytocin