In Situ Localization of Sodium-Potassium ATPase mRNA in Developing
Mouse Lung Epithelium.
Crump, R. G., G. R. Askew, S. E. Wert, J. B. Lingrel, and C. H.
Joiner.
Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Department of
Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of
Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229 and Departments of Molecular
Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, and of Molecular and
Cellular Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, Ohio
APStracts 2:0041L, 1995.
The ontogeny of Na+,K+-ATPase mRNA in the mouse lung was examined
using [alpha] and [beta] isoform-specific probes in northern blot
assays and for in situ hybridization analysis. Northern blot assays
demonstrated an increase in Na+,K+-ATPase expression in the perinatal
period, peaking at birth (D1), with [alpha]1 and [beta]1 isoform
levels reaching 6 to 8 times adult levels. Alpha1 isoform in situ
hybridization signals were localized primarily to developing airway
epithelium and were most intense on D1. Postnatally, [alpha]1 isoform
hybridization signals persisted in airway epithelium, though
progressively diminishing in intensity relative to perinatal levels.
Alpha1 hybridization signals in developing alveolar regions remained
slightly above background during this period. Beta1 isoform
hybridization signals increased dramatically during the perinatal
period in both developing airway and alveolar epithelia. Postnatally,
[beta]1 hybridization signals declined slightly in airway epithelium
and developed a punctate pattern in alveolar epithelium. These data
indicate that the perinatal increase in Na+,K+-ATPase expression
observed in the developing mouse lung is localized primarily to
epithelial structures, and is therefore likely to be related to the
changes in transepithelial ion and fluid transport known to occur in
the perinatal period.
Received 7 September 1993; accepted in final form 13 March 1995.
APS Manuscript Number L186-3.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Lung Cell. Mol.
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 4 April 1995.