Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor antisense gene (Igf2as) expression was investigated in different mouse tissues during development, in differentiating C2C12 cells and in a ΔDMR1-U2 knockout mouse model. The expression levels of Igf2as were high in fetal and newborn liver and muscle tissues compared to adults. The Igf2as gene was also expressed in placenta and in brain. The expression data suggests that the Igf2as gene plays a role in early development of the mouse and in placenta. There was no consistent evidence for an interaction between Igf2 and Igf2as transcripts. Furthermore, in knockout placentas lacking Igf2as transcription, Igf2 expression was comparable to that in wild type. These results indicate that Igf2as does not regulate Igf2 sense transcripts. In previous studies, it was suggested that the ΔDMR1-U2 knockout mouse showing intrauterine growth restriction was caused by the absence of placenta-specific Igf2 P0 transcription. We conclude that the ΔDMR1-U2 deletion phenotype should be reconsidered in the light of a functional Igf2as gene.
Highlights
The insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (Igf2) is an imprinted gene, paternally expressed and encodes for the insulin-like growth factor II peptide [1, 2]
Insulin-like growth factor antisense gene (Igf2as) expression was investigated in different mouse tissues during development, in differentiating C2C12 cells and in a ΔDMR1-U2 knockout mouse model
We found relatively high Igf2 and Igf2as gene
Summary
The insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (Igf2) is an imprinted gene, paternally expressed and encodes for the insulin-like growth factor II peptide [1, 2]. Stereological analysis showed a reduction in surface area and an increase in thickness of the exchange barrier in the ΔDMR1-U2 knockout labyrinthine layer of the placenta This suggests that labyrinthine P0 Igf expression has a function in the development of normal diffusional exchange characteristics of the mouse placenta influencing fetal growth [9]. We performed an expression analysis of Igf and Igf2as transcripts in ΔDMR1-U2 and wild-type placentas from different development stages. The expression of these genes is studied in wild type placentas and in ΔDMR1-U2 placentas which are lacking Igf P0 and Igf2as expression Our results from this comparison are challenging previous findings from this mouse model. We followed the expression patterns of this sense/antisense pair in different tissues during development and measured Igf2/Igf2as expression in differentiating C2C12 cells for functional characterization of the putative protein coding Igf2as gene
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
