Autocrine effects of transforming growth factor-alpha on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to explore the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha in mouse embryonic development.


METHODS
We examined the gene expression of TGF-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in mouse blastocysts by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and evaluated the effects of TGF-alpha on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos using TGF-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. Mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells were also a subject of this study.


RESULTS
Gene transcripts of TGF-alpha and EGFR were present in both blastocysts and F9 cells. TGF-alpha significantly stimulated the rate of blastocoel expansion in early-cavitating blastocysts and the proliferation of F9 cells. Northern blot analysis showed that TGF-alpha gene expression in F9 cells was markedly suppressed in the presence of TGF-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. TGF-alpha antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced the rate of blastocoel expansion and the growth of F9 cells. The inhibitory effects of TGF-alpha antisense oligonucleotide on blastocysts and F9 cells were reversed by the addition of TGF-alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
The present observations suggest that TGF-alpha acts as an autocrine factor in the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.
Onohara
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Harada
T
T
Tanikawa
M
M
Iwabe
T
T
Yoshioka
H
H
Taniguchi
F
F
Mitsunari
M
M
Tsudo
T
T
Terakawa
N
N
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018243:Teratocarcinoma; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors