Placenta growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor are co-expressed during early embryonic development.
We have used the polymerase chain reaction to identify mouse proteins similar in primary structure to the endothelial cell mitogen Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). One amplified product encoded mouse Placenta Growth Factor (PIGF). The pattern of PIGF gene expression in mouse embryos was studied by in situ hybridization. Transcripts encoding mouse PIGF were abundant in trophoblastic giant cells associated with the parietal yolk sac at early stages of embryogenesis. VEGF transcripts were also detected in trophoblastic giant cells raising the possibility that these cells may secrete heterodimers consisting of one PIGF subunit and one VEGF subunit. The secretion of PIGF and VEGF by trophoblastic giant cells is likely to be the signal which initiates and co-ordinates vascularization in the deciduum and placenta during early embryogenesis.
Achen
M G
MG
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia. achen@licre.ludwig.edu.au
Gad
J M
JM
Stacker
S A
SA
Wilks
A F
AF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019556:COS Cells; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014162:Transfection / Q000235:genetics; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; C000608037:Pgf protein, mouse; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor