title: Gene expression and peptide localization for epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligands in porcine luteal cells.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to determine the expression of the genes for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), and two of its ligands, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in isolated large (LLC) and small (SLC) porcine luteal cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and to localize their peptides in whole corpora lutea (CL) as well in isolated LLC and SLC by immunocytochemistry. RT-PCR revealed strong cDNA signals for EGF-R and EGF in both LLC and SLC, and for TGF-alpha in LLC. The signal for TGF-alpha message in SLC was relatively weaker but detectable. Immunocytochemistry revealed intense EGF-R staining in LLC and SLC in both isolated and intact CL preparations. On the other hand, immunoreactive EGF and TGF-alpha appeared to be present only in LLC in intact CL sections, and isolated luteal cell preparations confirmed their presence in LLC and absence in SLC. These results suggest an autocrine/paracrine role for EGF and TGF-alpha in luteal functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Tekpetey
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000737:chemistry; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D013552:Swine; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase