title: Expression of keratin 19, Na-K-Cl cotransporter and estrogen receptor alpha in developing mammary glands of ewes.
abstract: Mammary gland remodelling is strictly related to intracellular signals and stem cell biology. Among the best candidates to identify the nature and development of mammary cells are cytokeratin 19 (CK19), the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) and receptor of estrogen alpha (ERα). In this study, we analyzed the expression of these genes in ewe mammary glands from prepubertal stage to involution. Using Real time PCR we showed that NKCC1 transcription was significantly down regulated during lactation and at involution in comparison to the expression measured in the prepubertal group. No significant differences were found in CK19 expression, whereas ERα transcription was significantly down regulated before lambing, during lactation and at involution. In situ hybridization analysis confirmed quantitative data and localized the CK 19 transcript at basal and luminal compartment of terminal ductal unit (TDU) of prepubertal mammary glands. NKCC1 expression was also present in lactating glands and ERα in connective tissue surrounding TDU. The characterization and identification of mammary developmental markers in the tissue of dairy animals is necessary to gain knowledge in mammary gland biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, Italy. Monica.Colitti@uniud.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colitti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D053539:Keratin-19 / Q000235:genetics*; D007774:Lactation / Q000235:genetics; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D036801:Parturition / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012756:Sheep; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters / Q000235:genetics*; D064506:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 2; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D053539:Keratin-19; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters; D064506:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 2