Role of Rictor/mTORC2 in mouse embryo implantation

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the expression of the Rictor gene，an ligand for mTOR，in mice in early pregnancy and its effect on embryo implantation，and to lay a foundation for further research on the role and mechanism of the Rictor gene in mouse embryo implantation. Methods：The mouse model of early pregnancy and uterine-specific knockout of the Rictor gene was established. Results：Immunohistochemistry showed that the Rictor gene was mainly expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium on days 1-4 of pregnancy and the decidual tissue near the implantation site after embryo implantation. The conditional-knockout mice with genotype Rictorfl/flCre+/- were successfully propagated. Immunohistochemistry，Western blot，and RT-qPCR showed that the expression of the Rictor gene was reduced in mouse uterus，suggesting that a mouse model of conditional knockout of the Rictor gene in the uterus was successfully established. Compared with the control mice，the knockout mice had significantly lower volume and weight of the uterus （P<0.01）. On day 5 of pregnancy，the knockout mice had no embryo implantation sites in the uterus and had significant increases in the expression of Ki67（a marker for proliferation） and MUC1（a marker for endometrial receptivity） in the luminal epithelial cells. Conclusion：There is a significant reduction in embryo implantation rate due to impaired receptivity after conditional knockout of the Rictor gene.