IDENTIFICATION OF MESSENGER-RNA FOR EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR AND TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-ALPHA PRESENT IN LOW COPY NUMBER IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM AND DECIDUA USING REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The presence of mRNA for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was demonstrated in small fragments of human endometrium and decidua by use of the technique of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with nested oligonucleotide primers. The presence of mRNA encoding EGF and TGF-alpha has not been shown in human endometrium previously. Other studies using conventional techniques, such as Northern blot or in-situ hybridization, showed the presence in low copy number of EGF but not TGF-alpha in murine endometrium. Messenger RNA for EGF was not present in peripheral leukocytes or platelets, suggesting an endometrial source for the message. Messenger RNA for TGF-alpha was found in these blood components, thus preventing confirmation of the source of TGF-alpha mRNA.