Basement membrane zone gene expression by fibroblast cultures was examined by molecular hybridizations with human sequence specific cDNAs corresponding to type Ⅳprocollagen and laminin subunit polypeptides. Northern transfer analysis with total RNA ...
Basement membrane zone gene expression by fibroblast cultures was examined by molecular hybridizations with human sequence specific cDNAs corresponding to type Ⅳprocollagen and laminin subunit polypeptides. Northern transfer analysis with total RNA revealed the presence of specific mRNA transcripts for a1 and a2 chains of type N procollagen as well as B1 and B2 chains of laminin. Laminin A chain mRN As were not detected using the same RNA preparations. The molecular size of a1 and a2procollagen mRNA revealed 6.8kb and 6.7kb, respectively. The molecular size of B1 chain of laminin revealed 5.6kb, and B2 chain revealed 8.2 and 5.5kb polymorphic transcripts. In slot -blot analysis using densitometer, steady-state levels of type N procollagen and laminin mRNAs indicated that they were in relatively low abundance, as compaired with type 1procollagen mRNA. Quantitative levels of α1 (Ⅳ) and laminin B1 chaiil mRNAs were more abundant than those of a2 and laminin B2 mRNAs. The mRNA ratio of α1 (Ⅳ)/a2(N) and laminin B1/B2 were 1.9 and 1.5, respectively. These results demonstrate evidence for differential regulation of the expression of different basement membrane zone molecules during the formation of basement membrane.