Expression of activin beta C subunit mRNA in reproductive tissues.
A cDNA encoding the potential activin beta C subunit was produced from human testis RNA using reverse transcription and PCR and then used as a probe in Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA. A transcript of approximately 1.8 kb was evident in human ovary, placenta and testis samples. A transcript of this size was also detected in adult rat caput and cauda epididymis, and adult and day-15 testis and adult spleen, while adult liver contained a single transcript of approximately 2.1 kb. Poly(A)+ RNA from primary spermatocytes but not from round spermatids contained the 1.8 kb activin beta C mRNA. These findings highlight the need for further studies to determine the physiological role(s) of activin beta C in a wide variety of tissues.
Loveland
K L
KL
Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
McFarlane
J R
JR
de Kretser
D M
DM
D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins