There is an increase in expression of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to identify genes that exhibit increased expression in the uterus during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

A differential screen was performed against a pregnant mouse uterus complementary deoxyribonucleic acid library by use of probes derived from pregnant and nonpregnant uterus. Multiple clones related to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene were isolated.

RESULTS

Northern hybridization disclosed that message is present in both the gravid and nongravid uterus, but there is a substantial increase in expression during pregnancy. Expression is not found in a variety of other fetal and adult tissues evaluated (excluding placenta).

CONCLUSION

The uterus (or cells present within the uterus) constitutes a major site of in vivo expression for the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 alpha gene, and expression of this gene is increased during pregnancy.