Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the preimplantation uterus and blastocyst of the western spotted skunk.
The western spotted skunk is unique in that its blastocysts undergo a 180-220-day period of arrested development before implantation. We investigated the potential role of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related growth factors in regulating uterine and embryonic development in this species by studying the status of EGF receptor (EGF-R) in these tissues during delayed implantation and resumption of embryonic development. The cell-specific distribution of EGF binding sites and the expression of EGF-R mRNA were assayed by autoradiography and Northern blot analysis, respectively. The size of EGF-R was determined by affinity cross-linking studies, and its bioactivity was examined by determining EGF-dependent subcellular protein tyrosine kinase ( PTK) activity. EGF binding sites were localized in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium, endometrial stroma, myometrium, and blood vessels during both stages of pregnancy. As examined by Northern blot hybridization, a cRNA probe specific to mouse EGF-R hybridized to poly(A)+ RNA of skunk uteri. Transcripts similar to those of mouse uterine EGF-R were identified. [125I]-EGF was cross-linked to a 170-kDa protein both in the uterus and in blastocysts collected during the delayed implantation and periimplantation periods. However, EGF- induced PTK activity was significantly elevated above background levels during the period of renewed embryonic development, but not during arrested embryonic development. The results suggest that EGF-related growth factors may play an important role in regulating embryonic development in this species and that a change in the number and/or functional status of the EGF-R may be a prerequisite for blastocyst activation and implantation in the spotted skunk.[1]References
- Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the preimplantation uterus and blastocyst of the western spotted skunk. Paria, B.C., Das, S.K., Mead, R.A., Dey, S.K. Biol. Reprod. (1994) [Pubmed]
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