Expression of the avian c-erb B (EGF receptor) protooncogene during estrogen-promoted oviduct growth.
Expression of cellular erb B protooncogene messenger RNAs has been analyzed in the oviducts of immature chicks during estrogen-promoted growth. Hybridization of oviduct total cellular RNA with viral-derived erb B oncogene probes demonstrated significant expression of c-erb B mRNA in oviduct cells of untreated chicks. Daily administration of estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) to chicks results in marked oviduct growth but did not appreciably affect expression levels of c-erb B messenger RNA in oviducts after 2, 4 or 6 days of treatment. Withdrawal of chicks from estrogen treatment resulted in termination of oviduct growth. However, c-erb B messenger RNAs were detectable in the nonproliferative tissue at 5 days after hormone withdrawal. Readministration of diethylstilbestrol, progesterone or diethylstilbestrol plus progesterone to hormone-withdrawn birds (secondary stimulation) also did not affect c-erb B messenger RNA levels in the oviduct. These results demonstrate significant expression of the cellular erb B (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene in the avian oviduct. However, EGF receptor messenger RNA synthesis is not modulated in the oviduct by steroid hormones.
Simmen
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FA
Department of Animal Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes / Q000187:drug effects*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010057:Oviducts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000187:drug effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011374:Progesterone; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D066246:ErbB Receptors