Identification of genes showing altered expression in preimplantation and early postimplantation parthenogenetic embryos.

摘要

Uniparental embryos have been instrumental in studying imprinting because contributions from the parental genomes can be determined unambiguously. In this study imprinted genes showed differential expression between parthenogenetic and fertilized embryos during preimplantation and early postimplantation stages of development. Three genes, apolipoprotein E, pyruvate kinase-3, and protein phosphatase 1gamma, were identified that represent excellent candidates for imprinted genes. This was based on the results of the differential screen, their function in differentiation and the cell cycle, and their location within imprinted chromosomal regions. In addition, 2 novel genes expressed in trophoblast were identified, 1661 and RA81. These genes, togetherwith 4 known imprinted genes, H19, Igf2r, Igf2, and Snrpn, showed evidence of expression from both parental alleles in early stage embryos, indicating a role for post-fertilization processes in regulating imprinted gene function.