Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol 3, 359-365, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
MD Johnson, DW Batey and B Behr
Hexokinase (HX), the enzyme that catalyses the initial reaction in
glycolysis, is an important enzyme in glucose metabolism during human and
mouse embryonic development. In our previous investigations of the genetic
activities of HX, we observed an increased incidence of HX gene expression
in blastocysts in comparison with morulae, and variability in the incidence
of HX gene expression between embryos at the same developmental stages.
These observations prompted us to quantify HX mRNA in mouse blastocysts to
define the biological significance of the variable gene transcription. We
modified our qualitative reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain
reaction (RT-nPCR) assay for HX mRNA in single or groups of embryos to
quantify HX mRNA by competitive RT-nPCR. HX mRNA was quantified in cohorts
of mouse blastocysts cultured in glucose/phosphate-containing human tubal
fluid (HTF) media. These blastocysts expressed HX in minute amounts,
averaging 1.95 x 10(- 18) g of mRNA. This is the first attempt at
quantification of single gene mRNA in preimplantation embryos. Further
investigations using similar techniques will enable comparative analyses
between embryos to be performed to determine the correlation between
specific levels of HX mRNA transcripts in individual embryos and embryonic
viability and competence for further development and implantation.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Quantification of hexokinase mRNA in mouse blastocysts by competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5317, USA.
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