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Relaxin-like factor (RLF) mRNA expression in the fallow deer
S Hombach-Klonisch1, J Kauffold, T Rautenberg
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Medicine, Halle (Saale), Germany. sabine.hombach-klonisch@medizin.uni-halle.de
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|February 25, 2000
Summary
Researchers cloned the coding sequence for Relaxin-like factor (RLF), also known as Insulin-like 3 (Insl3), in fallow deer. This gene is expressed in Leydig cells of the testis and various tissues during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular genetics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Relaxin-like factor (RLF), also known as Insulin-like 3 (Insl3), plays a crucial role in reproductive processes.
- Understanding the expression patterns of RLF in different species provides insights into its conserved and divergent functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and characterize the coding cDNA sequence of RLF (Insl3) in the fallow deer.
- To investigate the tissue-specific expression of RLF mRNA in the fallow deer testis, uterus, ovary, and uteroplacental tissues.
Main Methods:
- Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE-PCR) were employed to clone the RLF cDNA.
- Northern blot analysis was used to detect RLF mRNA transcripts in testicular tissue.
- Nonradioactive in situ hybridization was performed to determine the cellular localization of RLF mRNA.
Main Results:
- The coding cDNA sequence for fallow deer RLF (Insl3) was successfully cloned, consisting of 396 bp encoding a 131-amino acid peptide with high homology to other ruminants.
- A single 0.9 kb RLF transcript was detected in the deer testis, with expression localized to Leydig cells.
- RLF mRNA was found in the endometrium of the non-pregnant uterus, ovarian tissues (theca interna and corpus luteum) during pregnancy, and in various cell types within the uteroplacental tissues, including fetal trophoblast cells.
Conclusions:
- The fallow deer RLF (Insl3) gene is expressed in Leydig cells of the testis, suggesting a role in male reproductive function.
- RLF expression in uterine, ovarian, and placental tissues indicates its involvement in pregnancy and fetal development in the fallow deer.
- The coexpression of RLF mRNA and MHC class Ib molecules in specific trophoblast cells warrants further investigation into their potential interactions.