Insulin-like growth factor gene expression during rat embryonic development.
The function of insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) in embryogenesis is unknown. To investigate the ontogeny of IGF gene expression during mammalian development we used a highly sensitive and specific solution-hybridization assay to determine the steady state levels of IGF mRNAs during midgestation in the rat. IGF-I mRNA can be detected as early as day 11 of embryonic development and rises 8.6-fold over the ensuing 48 h. By contrast IGF-II mRNA is relatively constant over days 11-14 of gestation. These observations suggest that both IGFs may play important roles in early fetal development.
Rotwein
P
P
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
Pollock
K M
KM
Watson
M
M
Milbrandt
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005796:Genes; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D013002:Somatomedins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II