Abstract:
Dilantin (DPH), an anticonvulsant drug, is known for increasing the incidence of abnormal prenatal development. Previous research indicates that protein levels of DNA Polymerase Delta (Pol 8) are reduced in DPH-treated embryos in Gland do not rise again until what would be late S-phase in controls. This study began to investigate the level of Pol 8 RNA in 2-cell embryos during Gland S-phases using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Primers were designed for Pol 8 and RT-PCR optimization was performed using liver tissue extracts and second cell cycle G 1 embryos. This study found that for liver the optimal concentration of MgS04 is 2mM when used with O.5~1 of each primer in Pol 8 Primer Set 2. Further optimization of RT-PCR components is necessary to obtain a clearer picture of how Dilantin affects Pol 8 in the developing embryo.
