Abstract:

Abstract: Objective Mammary gland plays an important role in animal reproduction. Female iRhom2^Uncv mice showed loss of lactation and mammary gland morphogenesis deficiency. This study aims at investigating the underlying molecular basis. Method The mammary gland tissues and blood of 12-week-old wild-type and iRhom2^Uncv mice were collected. The mammary gland morphogenesis was observed by whole mounts staining. RNAseq was conducted to select the differentially expressed genes, and the serum hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA. Result Compared with wild-type mice, mammary collateral ducts in iRhom2^Uncv were sparse. Of the 18 genes with the most significant differences, 6 genes were upregulated while 12 genes were downregulated. Nearly no expression of 3 prolactin family genes were found in iRhom2Uncv both at mRNA and protein level, while the mean serum estrogen level was higher than that of wild-type mice. Conclusion Loss of expression of Zfp281 was also demonstrated. Prolactin and Zfp281 may be associated with the mammary gland morphogenesis deficiency in iRhom2^Uncv mice. Use of iRhom2^Uncv mice in research of cancer biology or neurology should be further investigated.