Accumulation of the predominant pancreatic mRNAs during embryonic development

A. E. Przybyla, R. J. MacDonald, J. D. Harding, R. L. Pictet, W. J. Rutter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have examined the pattern of accumulation of specific adult pancreas mRNAs during embryonic development by comparative analysis of the in vitro translation products of RNAs isolated from embryonic and adult pancreases. Changes in the concentration of individual mRNAs were inferred from the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel profiles of the in vitro translation products. The concentrations of several mRNAs coding for predominant adult translation products increased dramatically between 14 and 20 days of gestation, coincident with pancreatic cytodifferentiation. A few prominent adult mRNAs were not detected in RNA isolated from embryonic pancreases, indicating that further qualitative changes in pancreatic gene expression occur after birth. The accumulation of the mRNA for the major secretory enzyme, amylase, was measured by specific immunoprecipitation of the in vitro translation products. In vitro sysnthesized amylase, identified by immunoprecipitation and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel separation of peptides generated by protease digestion, appeared approximately 2000 daltons larger than amylase isolated from adult pancreatic secretions. Amylase mRNA levels measured by immunoprecipitation of in vitro translation products increased a minimum of 100-fold between Days 14 and 20 of gestation, coincident with the increase in amylase synthesis. These results indicate that the rate of amylase synthesis during this developmental period is controlled in large part by the rate of accumulation of amylase mRNA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2154-2159
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume254
Issue number6
StatePublished - 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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