Evidence of H beta 58, a gene involved in mammalian placental development, in the three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides (Squamata: Scincidae), a viviparous placentotrophic reptile.
Placenta
; 22(8-9): 735-41, 2001.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11597194
ABSTRACT
The H beta 58 gene, whose disruption in mice causes reabsorption of the embryo at 9.5 days post-conception, is believed to be essential for development of the placenta. Although the H beta 58 gene is well conserved in some Amniota, nothing is known about its presence in reptiles, some species of which have developed a chorioallantoic placenta. In this work, we investigated the expression of H beta 58 mRNA and protein in the three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides. H beta 58 protein expression was found in the uterine epithelium beginning from the peri-ovulatory stage. However, it increased strongly at the moment of placental formation, when a high level of expression of mRNA and protein was also observed in the extra-embryonic membranes. The expression of H beta 58 mRNA and protein was maintained, although to a lesser degree, in the placenta during late pregnancy. It was also present in the early embryo. Finally, cloning and sequencing of a gene fragment revealed strong homology of the reptile gene with that of mammals. The high degree of conservation of the gene in amniote vertebrates and its presence in a viviparous squamate reptile (as in mammals) indicates an important role of this gene in the chorioallantoic placenta formation and development.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Placenta
/
Répteis
/
Proteínas de Transporte
/
Proteínas de Répteis
/
Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular
Limite:
Animals
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Placenta
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália