Expression of a putative stem cell marker,Musashi 1, in mammary glands of ewes |
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Authors: | M Colitti M Farinacci |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Scienze Animali, University of Udine, via delle Scienze, 208, 33100 Udine, Italy |
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Abstract: | Several recent studies demonstrated that development, function and remodelling of mammary glands involved multipotent cells,
but no specific molecular markers for mammary epithelial stem cells were revealed. These studies principally concerned human
and mouse mammary tissue, but mammary stem cells could be a valuable tool in agricultural production and bioengineering in
farm animals. The Musashi-1 (Msi 1) gene encodes an RNA binding protein, which is likely to be associated with self-renewal
of neural, intestinal and mammary progenitor cells and is believed to influence the Notch signalling pathway. In this study Musashi-1 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation
analysis on mammary glands of ewes at different developmental stages. The protein expression was observed in the epithelial
cells at all stages examined. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Msi 1 mRNA has an expression pattern similar to the
encoded protein, with positive staining in both nuclei and cytoplasm of ductal, secretory and stromal cells. Ultrastructural
in situ analysis confirmed the nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression of Msi. Quantitative analysis of Msi 1 gene expression
showed a strong correlation with that of Ki-67, that is a marker of cell proliferation. This is the first report outlining
expression of Msi 1 in ovine mammary glands during a complete cycle of lactation. |
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Keywords: | Mammary glands Sheep Msi 1 Stem cells marker |
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