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Differential Expression of Retinoic Acid Receptor mRNA during Mouse Embryogenesis
Author(s) -
Wu TsungChieh J.,
Wang Lai,
Wan YuJui Y.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-169x.1992.tb00037.x
Subject(s) - biology , retinoic acid , embryogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , housekeeping gene , blastocyst , embryo , northern blot , retinoic acid receptor , gene expression , messenger rna , differential display , in situ hybridization , complementary dna , gene , genetics
Retinoic Acid, mediated through its receptors (RAR), exhibits striking effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, and pattern formation. At least three types of RARs (α, β, and γ) have been cloned. The ontogeny and semi‐quantitated amount of three RAR mRNA were studied in mouse embryos and placentas using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction technique. The amplified cDNA products were confirmed by correct sizes, Southern blot hybridization and restriction enzyme digestion. The results show that RAR‐α mRNA is constitutively expressed in the oocytes and embryos of all stages, suggesting that RAR‐α is a housekeeping gene. RAR‐β mRNA is present in the oocytes, becomes undetectable at the 2‐cell stage when the maternal RNA is degraded, and re‐expresses at morula and blastocyst stages when the embryonic genome is activated. RAR‐γ mRNA is not expressed until balstocyst stage. In the postimplantation embryos, no significant change in all three RAR mRNA levels was detected from day 10 through the late gestational stage (day 18). Placental tissue expressed all three RAR transcripts throughout gestation. The differential activation of the these three RAR genes in the preimplantation embryos suggests RARs as the important regulators during early embryogenesis.