Specific expression of a retinoic acid-regulated, zinc-finger gene, Rex-1, in preimplantation embryos, trophoblast and spermatocytes

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.113.3.815
• Publication Date: 2021-04-23T18:23:54Z
• Authors: Melissa B. Rogers; Betsy A. Hosler; Lorraine J. Gudas
• Keywords: Trophoblast; Inner cell mass; Epiblast

We have previously isolated a cDNA clone for gene whose expression is reduced by retinoic acid (RA) treatment of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. The nucleotide sequence indicated that this gene, Rex-1, encodes zinc-finger protein and thus may be transcriptional regulator. Rex-1 message level high in two lines embryonic stem cells (CCE D3) when D3 are induced to differentiate using four different growth conditions. As expected stem-cell-specific message, mRNA present the inner cell mass (ICM) day 4.5 mouse blastocyst. It also polar trophoblast One days later, found ectoplacental cone extraembryonic ectoderm egg cylinder (trophoblast-derived tissues), but its abundance much which directly descended from ICM. expressed 18 placenta (murine gestation days), tissue largely derived trophoblast. only tested adult contains detectable amounts testis. In situ hybridization northern analyses RNA germ-cell-deficient testis stage-specific germ preparations suggest limited spermatocytes (germ undergoing meiosis). These results involved development spermatogenesis, useful marker studies early fate determination