Decidual Protein Induced By Progesterone (DEPP)

Endometrial stromal cells (ESC) undergo decidualization in response to progesterone. During pregnancy, endometrial mass continues to increase and forms the maternally derived component of the placenta. Remodeling of the endometrium is critical for implantation of the developing embryo. The full-length cDNA clone encodes a deduced 212-amino acid protein with a t-synaptosome-associated protein receptor (SNARE) coiled-coil homology domain and a peroxisomal targeting signal. Northern blot analysis of human tissues detected a 2.3-kb transcript with highest expression in placenta, ovary, pancreas, and testis, and low expression in several other tissues. RT-PCR confirmed expression in placenta and kidney. The transduced DEPP protein localized mainly in the nucleus in HEK293 cells.