Expression of the avian c-erb B (EGF receptor) protooncogene during estrogen-promoted oviduct growth.

Expression of cellular erb B protooncogene messenger RNAs has been analyzed in the oviducts of immature chicks during estrogen-promoted growth. Hybridization of oviduct total cellular RNA with viral-derived erb B oncogene probes demonstrated significant expression of c-erb B mRNA in oviduct cells of untreated chicks. Daily administration of estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) to chicks results in marked oviduct growth but did not appreciably affect expression levels of c-erb B messenger RNA in oviducts after 2, 4 or 6 days of treatment. Withdrawal of chicks from estrogen treatment resulted in termination of oviduct growth. However, c-erb B messenger RNAs were detectable in the nonproliferative tissue at 5 days after hormone withdrawal. Readministration of diethylstilbestrol, progesterone or diethylstilbestrol plus progesterone to hormone-withdrawn birds (secondary stimulation) also did not affect c-erb B messenger RNA levels in the oviduct. These results demonstrate significant expression of the cellular erb B (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene in the avian oviduct. However, EGF receptor messenger RNA synthesis is not modulated in the oviduct by steroid hormones.