Cathepsin Gene Expression in Mouse Placenta during the Latter Half of Pregnancy

Abstract

Abstract. Gene expressions and their interaction are complex and have not been definitely clarified in the placenta. To identify interactions of gene products previously not studied, we applied cDNA subtraction analyses to the placenta between days 12 and 16, days 12 and 14, days 14 and 16 of pregnancy. Among subtracted cDNAs cathepsin M, Q and R in PECs were specifically identified on days 14 and 16 pregnancy. All of these gene expressions exhibited a similar pattern to the mPL-II gene expression determined by northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. By means of in situ hybridization, these mRNAs were localized in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Double staining studies of cathepsin Q or cathepsin R mRNA by in situ hybridization followed by immunohistochemical staining of mPL-II in the same section revealed that signals for cathepsin Q and cathepsin R mRNAs were colocalized in mPL-II immunopositive trophoblast cells in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Possible association of cathepsins with mPL-II may play important roles in placental functions during the latter half of pregnancy in mice.

Expression Profiling of Mouse Placental Lactogen II and Its Correlative Genes Using a cDNA Microarray Analysis in the Developmental Mouse Placenta

“…Creg1 inhibits cell growth dependent on Igf2R, and this suggests that i n t e r a c t i o n s b e t w e e n C r e g 1 a n d a w e l lcharacterized placental growth factor may contribute to regulation of proliferation and differentiation in multiple lineages. Furthermore, Igf2 has been found to interact with cathepsin, which has been identified as a specific gene related to mPL-II synthesis, using the subtracted cDNA libraries in our previous work [12]. It has also been reported that lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D and Igf2, which share a common Igf2 / mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) transmembrane receptor, are synthesized and secreted by breast cancer cells.…”

“…In our previous work, we studied specific gene expression related to mPL synthesis using cDNA subtraction analysis that specifically identified cathepsin family genes [12]. In the present study, we employed cDNA microarray analysis, which was expected to be more sensitive than cDNA subtraction analysis, for the detection of specific genes related to mPL gene expression, including angiogenetic genes.…”

“…Based on this hypothesis, our previous work focused on the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n P L a n d P E C s . W e demonstrated that cathepsin M, Q, and R in the gene expressions of PECs exhibited a similar pattern to mPL-II by cDNA subtraction analysis [12], and cathepsin Q and R mRNAs were colocalized in mPL-II immunoreactive cells in the labyrinth zone of the placenta.…”

“…The cathepsin B, D and M expression patterns were also similar to the mPL-II gene expression. However, the cathepsin data was not included in this study because their expressions and localizations were shown in our previous study [12]. Cathepsin Q and R were also not included in this array.…”

Sp1/Sp3 compound heterozygous mice are not viable: Impaired erythropoiesis and severe placental defects

“…To investigate the organization of different cell types in the labyrinth, we performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses with probes and antibodies specific for trophoblast and fetal cell types. In situ hybridization for cathepsin q (Ctsq) (Ishida et al, 2004), a gene specific for mononuclear trophoblasts (also called sinusoidal trophoblast giant cells) (Simmons et al, 2007) showed that the maternal blood spaces are enlarged and disorganized in Sp1/Sp3 compound heterozygous and in Sp3 null placentae (Fig. 3D, Ctsq).…”