Open AccessDevelopmental expression of rat transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA.
Author(s) -
D C Lee,
R Rochford,
G J Todaro,
L P Villarreal
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.5.12.3644
Subject(s) - biology , northern blot , tgf alpha , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , alpha (finance) , embryo , complementary dna , gene expression , transforming growth factor , transforming growth factor, beta 3 , embryogenesis , in situ hybridization , transforming growth factor beta , growth factor , gene , genetics , medicine , construct validity , receptor , nursing , patient satisfaction
Expression of the gene encoding transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) was examined in developing rat embryos by using a cloned TGF alpha cDNA as a hybridization probe. Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from whole fetuses revealed that TGF alpha mRNA was present at relatively high levels in 8- through 10-day-old embryos and then declined to the low or undetectable level, which is characteristic of adult tissues before birth. The level of TGF alpha mRNA present during early gestation was similar to that present in retrovirus-transformed cells in culture, suggesting that TGF alpha expression is not highly localized in the embryo. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that TGF alpha plays a role in development, possibly as a fetal growth factor.