FIG 2.

Real-time qRT-PCR analysis of the candidate env, GCM1, and ASCT2 gene transcripts from Dasypus novemcinctus placenta and other tissues. Transcript levels are expressed as a percentage of the maximum and were normalized to the amount of RPL19 control gene RNA (see Materials and Methods). The placenta, placenta plus uterus, whole genital tract (including uterus, vagina, oviduct, and ovaries), fetal tissues, and somatic tissues were obtained from two D. novemcinctus pregnant females (see Materials and Methods), as indicated (female 1, late gestation; female 2, early gestation). Tissues are displayed in the same order in all panels (tissues are abbreviated in all but one panel). Red bars correspond to placenta-containing tissues. (A) Results obtained for the 14 env gene families. Primers were designed to amplify all copies within each family, except for the Dasy-Env1 family, for which 2 primer pairs (A and B) should be designed to fit all elements (primer sequences are available upon request). The asterisk indicates the detection of dasy-env6 transcripts in the mixed placenta-uterus sample but not in the placenta alone, which suggests that the expression of this gene family is restricted to the uterus. (B) Results obtained for dasyGCM1 and dasyASCT2. GCM1 is a well-conserved transcription factor-encoding gene, which displays specific expression in the placenta and in adult kidney and thymus in some species (33). The presence of dasyGCM1 transcripts in the whole genital tract of female 2 confirms its pregnancy.