title: Expression of the alpha-fetoprotein gene in pluripotent and committed cells.
abstract: We have studied the structure and expression of the alpha-fetoprotein gene in various cell types which differ in their capacity to synthesize alpha-fetoprotein. In all cells and tissues examined the levels of alpha-fetoprotein RNA found in the nucleus and cytoplasm were consistent with the hypothesis that alpha-fetoprotein expression is transcriptionally regulated. The alpha-fetoprotein gene was insensitive to deoxyribonuclease I in both undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma cells and in differentiated tissues which do not express alpha-fetoprotein, whereas in endoderm cells derived from the embryonal carcinoma cells and in alpha-fetoprotein-producing tissues the gene was sensitive to deoxyribonuclease I.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011247:Pregnancy; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I