Label-Free Proteomic Analysis Uncovers SMC1A Expression is Down-regulated in AUB-E Patients

Background: While heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a prevalent symptom among women with abnormal uterine bleeding caused by the primary endometrial disorder (AUB-E) seeking gynecologic care, the primary endometrial disorder remains poorly understood. Methods: 5 human endometrial samples from women with AUB-E to healthy women and the age-matched healthy women were selected. Proteins from the samples were analyzed by a linear ion trap (LTQ)-Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer based label-free proteomic approach. Results: A total of 2138 protein groups were quantified under highly stringent criteria with a false discovery rate of < 1% for protein groups, and 317 proteins were significantly changed between the two groups. Combined the results from enriched analysis and protein−protein interaction network analysis showed that the down-regulation of structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1 A (SMC1A) in AUB-E patients. validated by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: The results indicated novel evidence that SMC1A change of the endometrium in women with AUB-E may be associated with the key biological mechanisms (such as cell proliferation) underlying human endometrial remodeling.