Phenytoin-induced stress protein synthesis in mouse embryonic tissue

• Published in: Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine Vol. 189; no. 1; p. 136
• Main Authors: Hansen, D K, Anson, J F, Hinson, W G, Pipkin, Jr, J L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1988
• Subjects: Animals; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Embryo, Mammalian - drug effects; Embryo, Mammalian - metabolism; Facial Bones - embryology; Female; Forelimb - embryology; Heat-Shock Proteins - biosynthesis; Heat-Shock Proteins - isolation & purification; Mice; Mice, Inbred A; Nuclear Proteins - biosynthesis; Nuclear Proteins - isolation & purification; Phenytoin - toxicity; Pregnancy; Skull - embryology; Teratogens - toxicity
• ISSN: 0037-9727
• DOI: 10.3181/00379727-189-1-RC2

Several proteins have been shown to be synthesized in response to various environmental stimuli, including treatment with teratogens. The role of these proteins in the teratogenic process is unknown. Pregnant A/J mice were treated with either a teratogenic or a non-teratogenic dose of the anticonvulsant drug, phenytoin (PHT). Protein synthesis in embryonic craniofacial (target) tissue or forelimb buds (non-target) was determined by incorporation of radiolabeled leucine and analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Synthesis of three proteins in target tissue and one protein in non-target tissue was stimulated by drug treatment. These results suggest that synthesis of specific stress proteins may serve as biomarkers of drug-target tissue interaction.