Gene Expression in Early Mouse Embryos

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The long term objective of this project is to elucidate mechanisms of development in early mammalian embryos through the period of gastrulation. TGF-beta2, a mammalian peptide growth factor having a variety of effects on different cells, can induce mesoderm in animal pole cells of the amphibian embryos in a process resembling normal induction. The related factor, TGF- beta1, may play a subsidiary role in this process. Expression of the mRNAs for these two factors in peri-implantation mouse embryos (blastocyst to 101/2 day embryos), placentae, and uterine decidua will be sought by in situ hybridization and Northern blotting. As a subsidiary goal, expression in ovaries, particularly in relation to the developing oocyte,, will also be followed. The homologous probe for TGF-beta1 is currently in use in the laboratory, and if possible, a mouse cDNA for TGF-beta2 will be obtained using a simian cDNA probe to screen appropriate cDNA libraries. %%% TGF-beta was a growth factor originally discovered as a secreted factor that stimulated differentiated cells to a state where they proliferate in culture. This and related growth factors have recently been detected in early embryos. The current study is to determine the levels and subcellular locations of two related factors during early mammalian embryogenesis.