%0 Journal Article %T Protein expression of PKCZ (Protein Kinase C Zeta), Munc18c, and Syntaxin-4 in the insulin pathway in endometria of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) %A Rodrigo Rivero %A Claire-Alix Garin %A Paulina Ormazabal %A Andrea Silva %A Rodrigo Carvajal %A Fernando Gabler %A Carmen Romero %A Margarita Vega %J Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology %D 2012 %I BioMed Central %R 10.1186/1477-7827-10-17 %X We examined the protein levels of Munc18c, PKC zeta, phospho-PKC Zeta, and Syntaxin-4. Protein levels were assessed by Western Blot and/or immunohistochemistry in proliferative endometria (NPE = 6) and in PCOS endometria with insulin resistance (PCOSE-IR = 6). We also evaluated whether high concentrations of insulin (100 nM) and/or testosterone (100 nM), during a 24 h stimulatory period, affected the expression of these proteins in an immortal endometrial stromal cell line (T-HESCs). Once stimulated, proteins were extracted from cells and were assessed by Western Blot analysis. Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect AR in T-HESC cells.Western Blot data showed decreased expression (p < 0,05) of Munc18c and phospho-PKC Zeta in PCOS-IR endometria (PCOSE-IR) with respect to the control (NPE). In the in vitro study, Western Blot analysis showed decreased levels of Munc18c, PKC Zeta and phospho-PKC Zeta with the different hormonal treatments when compared to the control condition (no hormonal stimulation) (p < 0,05). The AR was present in the endometrial stromal cell line (T-HESC).The conditions of hyperinsulinism and hyperandrogenism present in PCOS-IR patients modulate the expression and/or phosphorylation of the proteins involved in the insulin pathway at the endometrial level. These data extend to the T-HESCs cells results, where insulin and testosterone exert an effect on both the expression and phosphorylation of proteins present in the pathway.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease with an unknown etiology that affects between 5 to 10% of women in reproductive age. The principal clinical manifestations of PCOS are: oligo-anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries detected by ultrasonography. PCOS is associated with defects in insulin activity, where a high percentage of patients present symptoms of insulin resistance (IR), often associated with hyperinsulinemia [1]. Fat and muscle tissue samples fr %K PKC Zeta %K Munc18c %K Endometrium %K PCOS %U http://www.rbej.com/content/10/1/17