Structure and expression of Leydig insulin-like peptide mRNA in the sheep.
We have used PCR to isolate and characterise Leydig insulin-like peptide (Ley I-L) mRNA from sheep ovary. The deduced amino acid sequence of sheep Ley I-L has good homology with the pig and human peptides, having 93% and 77% amino acid identity, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed abundant expression in both ovary and testis. An examination of ovarian RNA from non-pregnant and pregnant sheep showed that pregnancy did not significantly increase Ley I-L mRNA levels. However mRNA levels did alter depending on whether ovaries contained a corpus luteum. Also ovaries were examined by hybridisation histochemistry to locate the site of expression. Abundant Ley I-L mRNA levels were found in the theca interna cells of the ovary.
Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
P J
PJ
Roche
A
A
Butkus
E M
EM
Wintour
G
G
Tregear
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine
D007328:Insulin; C084797:Leydig insulin-like protein; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger