There is an increase in expression of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to identify genes that exhibit increased expression in the uterus during pregnancy.


METHODS
A differential screen was performed against a pregnant mouse uterus complementary deoxyribonucleic acid library by use of probes derived from pregnant and nonpregnant uterus. Multiple clones related to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene were isolated.


RESULTS
Northern hybridization disclosed that message is present in both the gravid and nongravid uterus, but there is a substantial increase in expression during pregnancy. Expression is not found in a variety of other fetal and adult tissues evaluated (excluding placenta).


CONCLUSIONS
The uterus (or cells present within the uterus) constitutes a major site of in vivo expression for the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene, and expression of this gene is increased during pregnancy.
Campo
M A
MA
Metrohealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA.
Rice
E J
EJ
Kasik
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C102076:cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2, mouse