Human fetal ovaries and uteri: developmental expression of genes encoding the insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and insulin-like growth factor II receptors. 1993

J L Shifren, and R Osathanondh, and J Yeh
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

OBJECTIVE To study the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of receptors for insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in human fetal ovaries and uteri at 10, 15, 19, and 22 weeks' gestation. Insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II are postulated to have paracrine and autocrine functions in the development of fetal tissues, but receptors for these growth factors have never been studied in reproductive organs of the human female fetus. METHODS Ribonucleic acid extracted from human fetal reproductive tissues underwent reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The amplified complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) fragments were analyzed by gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme mapping. RESULTS Messenger RNA expression consistent with both known forms of the insulin receptor, the IGF-I receptor, and the IGF-II receptor was observed in human fetal ovaries and uteri at 10, 15, 19, and 22 weeks' gestation. The identity of the PCR amplified ovarian and uterine DNA fragments were confirmed by digestion with the restriction endonucleases AvaII, DdeI, and BamHI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that mRNA for receptors for insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II are expressed in the fetal human female genital tract. These receptors may have roles in fetal reproductive tract development.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008969 Molecular Sequence Data Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories. Sequence Data, Molecular,Molecular Sequencing Data,Data, Molecular Sequence,Data, Molecular Sequencing,Sequencing Data, Molecular
D009838 Oligodeoxyribonucleotides A group of deoxyribonucleotides (up to 12) in which the phosphate residues of each deoxyribonucleotide act as bridges in forming diester linkages between the deoxyribose moieties. Oligodeoxynucleotide,Oligodeoxyribonucleotide,Oligodeoxynucleotides
D010053 Ovary The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE. Ovaries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011972 Receptor, Insulin A cell surface receptor for INSULIN. It comprises a tetramer of two alpha and two beta subunits which are derived from cleavage of a single precursor protein. The receptor contains an intrinsic TYROSINE KINASE domain that is located within the beta subunit. Activation of the receptor by INSULIN results in numerous metabolic changes including increased uptake of GLUCOSE into the liver, muscle, and ADIPOSE TISSUE. Insulin Receptor,Insulin Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Insulin Receptor alpha Subunit,Insulin Receptor beta Subunit,Insulin Receptor alpha Chain,Insulin Receptor beta Chain,Insulin-Dependent Tyrosine Protein Kinase,Receptors, Insulin,Insulin Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinase,Insulin Receptors
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005260 Female Females
D005314 Embryonic and Fetal Development Morphological and physiological development of EMBRYOS or FETUSES. Embryo and Fetal Development,Prenatal Programming,Programming, Prenatal
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages

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