Elsevier

Developmental Biology

Volume 141, Issue 2, October 1990, Pages 451-455
Developmental Biology

Brief note
A novel oncofetal gene is expressed in a stage-specific manner in murine embryonic development

https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-1606(90)90400-DGet rights and content

Abstract

A novel cDNA clone obtained from a murine T-lymphoma library hybridizes to transcripts expressed in placenta and embryos (Pem) in a stage-specific manner. The Pem cDNA sequence predicts an intracellular hydrophilic protein with no significant sequence similarity to other DNA or protein sequences. Pem transcripts are abundant in 7- and 8-day mouse embryos, but decrease precipitously thereafter. On Day 9 they become abundant in placenta and yolk sac, persisting there until partruition. Although Pem transcripts are present in immortalized and tumorigenic cell lines from several different cell lineages, they are not detectable in any of 15 adult tissues tested. The expression of Pem during fetal development and its presence in immortalized and neoplastic cell lines is consistent with the properties expected of an “oncofetal” gene.

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    This work was conducted, in part, by the Clayton Foundation for Research, California Division and supported by USPHS NIH Grants CA37778 (C.M.), CA42495 (C.M.), and GM39586 (M.W.).

    2

    C.M. is a Clayton Foundation Investigator.

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