During the menstrual cycle, the ovarian steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone control a dramatic transcriptional reprogramming of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) leading to a receptive state for blastocyst implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. A key marker gene of this decidualization process is the prolactin gene.
What is a marker gene? :S
A marker gene is a gene or a specific DNA sequence that serves as a recognizable indicator or "marker" for a particular biological process or condition. In the context of the decidualization process during the menstrual cycle, the prolactin gene acts as a marker gene. This means that the presence or activation of the prolactin gene can be used to indicate that the decidualization process is occurring.
Markers genes are often used in molecular biology and genetics research to study and understand various biological processes. Researchers can look for the presence or activity of specific marker genes to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, stages, or timing of certain biological processes or conditions. In this case, the prolactin gene serves as a marker gene, indicating the occurrence of decidualization in the endometrial stromal cells.