Protein alterations in the skin of the mouse with radiation-induced gastroschisis.

We have used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to analyse proteins in the skin of mouse foetuses with and without gastroschisis after X-irradiation of embryos during the one-cell stage. An increased phosphorylation of two proteins and a shift in one glycoprotein were observed in the skin of irradiated foetuses with gastroschisis compared with the unirradiated normal controls. These protein changes are specifically associated with this malformation. We discuss the results in terms of mutations related to the irradiation of the one-cell embryo.