Increased messenger RNA for allograft inflammatory factor-1, LERK-5, and a novel gene in 17.5-day relative to 15.5-day bovine embryos

Biol Reprod. 2003 Sep;69(3):1002-12. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.015065. Epub 2003 May 28.

Abstract

Considerable embryonic loss occurs between Gestation Days 15 and 18 in cattle when critical cellular and molecular events occur, including maternal recognition of pregnancy. To gain insight into these events, mRNA differential display analysis was used to identify eight unique cDNA fragments present in greater abundance in 17.5-day than in 15.5-day bovine embryos. Four cDNA fragments, confirmed to be upregulated in 17.5-day embryos using Northern analysis, were cloned and sequenced. Three cDNA fragments shared sequence identities with known homologs: human allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), human LERK-5, and bovine interferon-tau. One novel cDNA fragment did not share sequence identity to previously reported genes, except for a similar DNA sequence in the human genome. AIF-1 mRNA was present in developing placenta through Gestation Day 36, and abundant levels were observed in adult bovine spleen and lung. The novel gene, which we have named periattachment factor (PAF), was not detected in adult tissues using Northern analysis or in conceptuses between Days 30 and 36 of pregnancy. Additional sequence information for bPAF was obtained from a cDNA library constructed from a 25-day bovine embryo. The protein corresponding to the open reading frame has four protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, two casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, a nuclear targeting sequence, but no obvious DNA or RNA binding motifs. Abundant expression of this gene during a narrow but critical window of embryonic development makes it worthy of further study.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cattle
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development / genetics
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development / physiology*
  • Ephrin-B2 / genetics
  • Ephrin-B2 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Library
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism*
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Proteins / genetics
  • Pregnancy Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Sequence Homology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • AIF1 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ephrin-B2
  • Interferon Type I
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Pregnancy Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • interferon tau