Korean J Fertil Steril.  2004 Dec;31(4):201-208.

Expression of Ids in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos

• Hong SH
• Nah HY
• Lee YJ
• Lee JW
• Son YS
• Chae HD
• Kim SH
• Kang BM
• Kim CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The Id family of helix-loop-helix proteins are thought to affect the balance between cell growth and differentiation by negatively regulating the function of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcriptional factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of Ids (Id-1,-2,-3, and -4) in preimplantation mouse embryos at mRNA and protein levels.
METHODS
Oocytes and preimplantation embryos were collected from reproductive organs of female ICR mice following superovulation. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the mRNA expression patterns of Id genes and their protein were localized by immunofluorescence analysis.
RESULTS
Id-1 and Id-3 mRNAs were strongly expressed at the germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte and the blastocyst stages. Id-2 mRNA was expressed throughout preimplantation embryo development, but Id-4 was not expressed. Immunofluorescence showed that Id-1 and Id-2 were predominantly localized in cytoplasmic region, but the immunofluorescence signal of Id-3 was weak throughout preimplantation embryo development.
CONCLUSION
These data show for the first time that Ids are expressed in preimplantation mouse embryos and suggest that Ids may play an important role in early preimplantation embryo development and uterine physiological changes.

Keyword

Id; Immunofluorescence; Mouse; Preimplantation embryo

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blastocyst
Cytoplasm
Embryonic Development
Embryonic Structures*
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Humans
Mice*
Mice, Inbred ICR
Oocytes
Pregnancy
RNA, Messenger
Superovulation
RNA, Messenger