Expression patterns of folate binding proteins one and two in the developing mouse embryo

Robert C. Barber, Gregory D. Bennett, Kimberly A. Greer, Richard H. Finnell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Expression patterns of mRNAs coding for the murine folate binding proteins one and two (FBP1 and FBP2) were determined by ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) in highly inbred SWV/Fnn mouse embryos. Tissue samples for RPA were collected from the anterior neural tube throughout the period of embryonic development, as well as from maternal- and fetal-derived term placenta. The peak in expression of FBP1 occurred in term placental tissue compared to neural tissue from any time point. This relative increase in FBP1 expression occurred in placental tissue of embryonic, as opposed to maternal, origin. The expression of FBP2 did not differ statistically between any timepoints or tissues examined. Expression of both FBP1 and FBP2 was slightly elevated throughout the period of neural tube closure (Gestational Days 8 through 10), although not significantly. These data fit the anticipated expression patterns of the homologues of human folate receptors alpha and beta, thus helping to resolve some of the confusion secondary to the nomenclature associated with this gene family. Furthermore, the expression of these two genes in the neural tube closure stage of embryological development supports their involvement in regulatory events related to normal neural tube morphogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-39
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular Genetics and Metabolism
Volume66
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1999

Keywords

  • Folate binding protein
  • Folic acid
  • Gene expression
  • Neural tube defects

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