Modulation of gene expression in the preimplantation mouse embryo by TGF-alpha and TGF-beta

• Published in: Molecular reproduction and development Vol. 41; no. 2; p. 133
• Main Authors: Babalola, G O, Schultz, R M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1995
• Subjects: Animals; Base Sequence; Blastocyst - drug effects; Blastocyst - metabolism; DNA Probes; Female; Fetal Proteins - biosynthesis; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - drug effects; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Transforming Growth Factor alpha - pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1040-452X
• DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1080410203

The effect of growth factors on regulating gene expression in the preimplantation mouse embryo was examined, since results of previous experiments revealed a stimulatory effect of exogenously-added growth factors on preimplantation development in vitro. Treatment of early cavitating blastocysts with either 250 pM TGF-alpha or TGF-beta results in changes in the pattern of total protein synthesis as assessed by high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In some cases, the synthesis of a particular polypeptide is either up- or downregulated by each growth factor, whereas in other instances the synthesis of a polypeptide is modulated by one but not the other growth factor. Use of the mRNA differential display method permitted the identification of genes whose expression is either up- or downregulated by these growth factors. Treatment of mouse blastocysts with either TGF-alpha or TGF-beta results in the increased expression of the b subunit of the F0ATPase. TGF-beta also stimulates the expression of the DNA polymerase alpha. TGF-alpha treatment results in the increase in expression of a gene homologous to the human HEPG2 cDNA, as well as in a decrease in expression of fibronectin.