Identification and analysis of stage-specific expression of lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4alpha gene during development of preimplantation rabbit nuclear transfer embryo

The stage-specific expression of Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4alpha (LAPTM4alpha) in preimplantation rabbit nuclear transfer (NT) embryo was identified with the DDRT-PCR and reverse Northern Blot. The full length (1,364 bp) cDNA of LAPTM4alpha was screened out from cDNA library constructed with rabbit ovary and in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to trace the distribution of the LAPTM4alpha mRNA in intra-ovary, especially the follicle which proved that the LAPTM4alpha gene expression is involved in the follicles development, maturation, ovulation, luteinization, and preimplantation development in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domestica). To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of LAPTM4alpha gene expression and mRNA distribution in the rabbit ovary and first evidence for this gene involving in follicle development and rabbit preimplantation development.