Sites of glandular kallikrein gene expression in fetal mice.
As part of an ongoing study of the cell-specific expression of glandular kallikrein genes in mice, we have investigated cellular sites of expression of the renal/pancreatic kallikrein gene, mGK-6, during fetal life. Expression of alpha I and beta-subunit genes of Na+K+ATPase and bradykinin binding were used as an indication of the functional maturity of the fetal epithelial tubules in which mGK-6 expression was identified. mGK-6 mRNA was first observed at embryonic day 16 (E16) in the submandibular main duct, then at E18 in the sub-lingual main duct, at E19 in renal tubules and at E19 in ducts of the nasal glands. All of these ducts contained detectable epithelial Na+K+ATPase mRNAs from an earlier gestational age than mGK-6 mRNA, suggesting their capacity for electrolyte transport. Bradykinin binding was evident in renal tubules at E18. This study established that renal/pancreatic kallikrein is synthesized in fetal epithelial tubules which are mature functionally.
Penschow
J D
JD
Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
Coghlan
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007610:Kallikreins; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D001920:Bradykinin