title: Expression of epidermal growth factor family gene members in early mouse development.
abstract: Transcription of four members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, EGF, TGF-alpha, Amphiregulin, and Cripto, was investigated in the ovulated unfertilized egg and preimplantation embryo using cDNA libraries. EGF was present as a maternal message only, TGF-alpha was present at low levels in each library, Amphiregulin was not detected, and Cripto transcripts were first detected in the blastocyst cDNA library. In situ hybridization studies of the implanting embryo revealed Cripto expression localized to the entire ectoderm and then to the rapidly growing ectoplacental cone. At gastrulation, Cripto was detected in the primitive streak and developing mesoderm. During organogenesis, Cripto localized to the developing heart. Two Cripto transcripts were detected: one is confined to the early embryo and teratocarcinoma cells, and the other, first found in the fetus, is the major form detected in adult organs.
authors.affiliation: Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rothstein
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Knowles
mesh_terms: D066258:Amphiregulin; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005775:Gastrula / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015723:Gene Library; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051379:Mice; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D066258:Amphiregulin; C587849:Areg protein, mouse; C587850:Areg protein, rat; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C489450:Tdgf1 protein, mouse; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor