Participation of the cytoskeleton in the physiology of the endometrium

Abstract The cytoskeleton in the endometrium, takes part not only in all the mechanic functions of the cell, but because of movement and location of healthy organelles and proteins, it also takes part in the metabolism. The endometrial epithelium, because of its morphology and its supposed cellular homogeneity, has been studied more than the stroma. It is known that intermedium filaments show a characteristic pattern of typical distribution and expression of the cellular type. During pregnancy and pseudopregnancy, in the apical region of the epithelial cells, both, luminal and glandular, there is an abundance of keratin in the basolateral region; while the vimentin is abundant only in the luminal epithelial cells and it increases in the implantation day. In humans and rats, the desmin only expresses during the decidual response. It is considered that intermedium filaments have a role in the polarity changes of the membrane. The microfilaments (MF) are related with the regulation of the cellular morphology and movement. In the luminal epithelium the MF play a role in the transformations of the uterine surface like the microvilli. The microtubules in the endometrium and other organs play an important role in the organelles position like lysosomes, mitochondria and Golgi complex. Also it is proved that take part in the DNA synthesis, because colchicine drug inhibits it.