Identification of the OCT4-pgl Retrogene and NANOG Gene Expression in the Human Fetal Eye

摘要

This study is part of the project aimed at identification and structural-functional analysis of the regulatory genes specific for multipotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs). For the first time, primers constructed on the basis of OCT4 and NANOG mRNAs were used for PCR analysis of cDNA derived from the eyes of a 9.5-week human fetus. PCR-amplified DNA fragments were sequenced, and sequence alignment confirmed their 100% homology with the OCT4-pgl retrogene and NANOG gene. The expression of these genes was reliably detected in the cornea, lens, retina, and eye coats of a 10.5-week fetus. Localization of the NANOG and OCT4-pgl gene products in the cell nuclei indicates that these proteins probably belong to the class of transcription factors. The role of the OCT4-pgl retrogene and NANOG gene in self-renewal and differentiation of multipotent cells in the developing eye is discussed.