Evidence for coordinated interaction of cyclin D3 with p21 and cdk6 in directing the development of uterine stromal cell decidualization and polyploidy during implantation.

Uterine decidualization, characterized by stromal cell proliferation, and differentiation into specialized type of cells (decidual cells) with polyploidy, during implantation is critical to the pregnancy establishment in mice. The mechanisms by which the cell cycle events govern these processes are poorly understood. The cell cycle is tightly regulated at two particular checkpoints, G1-S and G2-M phases.