help button home button Endocrine Society Endocrinology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lee, H. U.
Right arrow Articles by Habener, J. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lee, H. U.
Right arrow Articles by Habener, J. F.

Endocrinology, Vol 121, 1335-1342, Copyright © 1987 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Developmental expression of the angiotensinogen gene in rat embryos

HU Lee, DJ Campbell and JF Habener
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.

Angiotensin II is a potent octapeptide vasoconstrictor and regulator of cardiovascular and electrolyte homeostasis. Angiotensinogen, the protein precursor of angiotensin II, is synthesized by the liver and many other organs of the adult rat. To determine whether angiotensin may be present in early fetal development we analyzed rat embryonic tissues (chorionic membranes, head, and body) for the expression of the angiotensinogen gene during days 11-21 of embryogenesis. Angiotensinogen mRNA was detected at low levels in embryo bodies and yolk sac placenta from day 11 of gestation. An initial rise in the level was noted on day 13, reaching a plateau from day 17 of gestation to birth. Angiotensinogen mRNA levels of the embryonic head were about 10-fold less than those of the body on days 17-19 and increased to levels similar to those of the body on days 20-21. Angiotensinogen mRNA levels of the yolk sac placenta were about 20-fold higher than those in the embryonic body, but no angiotensinogen mRNA was detected in the chorioallantoic placenta. Angiotensinogen mRNA from both embryos and yolk sac placenta was larger by about 200 bases than the mRNA obtained from adult rat liver; this was shown to be a consequence of both the utilization of more distal polyadenylation sites and a longer poly(A) tract. These observations suggest the possibility of a biological function for angiotensinogen in the early development of the rat, and that polyadenylation site selection may alter the functional expression of the angiotensinogen gene in a developmentally specific manner.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Physiol. Rev.Home page
M. Paul, A. Poyan Mehr, and R. Kreutz
Physiology of local Renin-Angiotensin systems.
Physiol Rev, July 1, 2006; 86(3): 747 - 803.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
F. Mitani, K. Mukai, H. Miyamoto, M. Suematsu, and Y. Ishimura
Development of Functional Zonation in the Rat Adrenal Cortex
Endocrinology, July 1, 1999; 140(7): 3342 - 3353.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
M. Millan, P Carvallo, S Izumi, S Zemel, K. Catt, and G Aguilera
Novel sites of expression of functional angiotensin II receptors in the late gestation fetus
Science, June 16, 1989; 244(4910): 1340 - 1342.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 1987 by The Endocrine Society