Homeobox gene expression in the intestinal epithelium of adult mice.
Using a polymerase chain reaction-based strategy, we have detected the expression of nine different homeobox genes in adult mouse intestine. Included among these are the recently described intestine-specific Cdx-1 gene and a new, related gene, Cdx-2. Southern blot experiments show that Cdx-2 is present in a single copy in the mouse genome. Of several adult mouse tissues assayed, intestine was the only one that contained detectable levels of Cdx-2 mRNA. Expression of all nine homeobox genes in different regions of the intestine was quantitated by RNase protection analysis, which revealed a unique expression profile for each gene. These observations suggest that homeobox gene expression may play an important role in cellular differentiation in the adult intestine.
James
R
R
Melbourne Tumour Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, P.O. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Kazenwadel
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA