title: Overlapping patterns of IGF2 and H19 expression during human development: biallelic IGF2 expression correlates with a lack of H19 expression.
abstract: The spatial patterns of IGF2 and H19 gene expression are strikingly similar during parts of human embryonic/fetal and early postnatal development. Notable exceptions were found with the ciliary anlage of the embryonic retina and the choroid plexus/leptomeninges, where transcripts from the IGF2 but not the H19 locus could be detected. Moreover, in contrast to the other tissue samples examined, the choroid plexus/leptomeninges expressed both parental IGF2 alleles. Whilst RNase protection analysis revealed a weak activity of the P1 promoter in the choroid plexus/leptomeninges, the P2, P3 and P4 promoters were all active wherever IGF2 was expressed. We discuss these observations with respect to a hypothesized coordinated control of the reciprocally imprinted and closely linked IGF2 and H19 loci.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Dependence Research, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hedborg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ekström
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000502:physiology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology