Pregnancy-specific beta 1 glycoprotein in rat: tissue distribution of the mRNA and identification of testicular cDNA clones.

A partial cDNA of pregnancy-specific beta 1 glycoprotein isolated from human term placenta was used as probe for slot-blot analysis of total RNA extracted from placental and non-placental tissues in the rat. RNA hybridization with the probe was observed in rat placenta, indicating the presence of mRNA highly homologous to human SP1. The quantity of hybridizing RNA increased with increasing gestational age. In non-pregnant rats, SP1-hybridizing mRNAs were found in uterus, intestine and testis, while no hybridizing material was detected in liver or muscle. The amount of rat SP1 mRNA, based on percentage of total tissue RNA, was greatest in the testis followed by intestine, uterus and placenta. Using the same probe, six clones were obtained by screening a rat testis cDNA library. These clones carried cDNA inserts ranging in size from 1530 to 1983 bp. An internal EcoRI site was present in all cDNA clones. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the cDNA insert of all the clones was homologous to human placental SP1 cDNA. These results suggest a possible origin for the trace quantities of SP1 detected in non-pregnant individuals. It also confirms that the rat is an appropriate model for studying the physiological functions of SP1.