Different mechanisms control developmental activation of transcription of genes subject to identical hormonal regulation in adult liver

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 144; no. 3; pp. 1182 - 1187
• Main Authors: Rothrock, Robin, Lee, Kai-Lin, Isham, Kenneth R., Johnson, Alfred C., Kenney, Francis T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 14.05.1987; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Applied sciences; Chromosome Deletion; Exact sciences and technology; Fetus; Genes; Hormones - physiology; Liver - embryology; Liver - enzymology; Liver - growth & development; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Mutation; Other techniques and industries; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic; Tyrosine Transaminase - genetics
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-291X(87)91436-7

Developmental changes in expression of two genes subject to identical hormonal controls in adult liver were examined in livers of fetal and newborn rats. Both mRNA concentrations and transcription of tyrosine aminotransferase were very low throughout gestation and increased sharply at birth. The mRNA of gene 33 (Lee et al., J. Biol. Chem. 260: 16433–16438, 1985) and its transcription were also low in fetal liver until a significant increase occurred just prior to birth, followed by a further increase at birth. In mutant mice carrying a deletion that prevents developmental activation of aminotransferase transcription, that of gene 33 was not affected. The data indicate that different mechanisms control developmental activation of these genes, in contrast to hormonal regulation of their expression.