Expression of c-onc genes: c-fos transcripts accumulate to high levels during development of mouse placenta, yolk sac and amnion.

The c-onc genes c-fos and c-fms are expressed at high levels specifically in mouse extra-embryonal tissues. Here, we report the results of a detailed analysis of expression of these genes within the developing placenta and extra-embryonal membranes (i.e., yolk sac and amnion). (i) The c-fos gene is expressed at relatively high, but nearly constant levels in the undissected placenta throughout gestation. (ii) The level of c-fos transcripts is greater than or equal to 15-fold higher in the separated outer portion of the midgestation placenta (primarily undifferentiated fetus-derived cytotrophoblast maternal decidua) relative to the inner moiety (predominantly differentiated syncytiotrophoblast). (iii) In the inner placenta and in the extra-embryonal membranes c-fos transcripts accumulate as gestation proceeds. The abundance of c-fos transcripts in the micro-surgically isolated 18th day amnion reaches a level which is two orders of magnitude greater than that in midgestation fetuses, and is thus close to the level of v-fos transcripts in virus-transformed cells. (iv) The distribution of c-fos transcripts within the developing extra-embryonal tissues is markedly different from that of the c-fms gene. It is suggested that the c-fos and c-fms proteins may participate in differentiation, growth or transport processes occurring in mouse extra-embryonal tissues.