Expression of IGF-I and IGF-II genes in the adult rat eye.
We have investigated the transcription of IGF-I and IGF-II genes in the adult rat eye. Each eye was dissected into cornea, lens, sclera + choroid + pigment epithelium, and neural retina. Total cellular RNA was isolated from each of these tissues. Northern blot analysis using rat coding region cDNA probes revealed the presence of IGF-I and IGF-II specific transcripts in the retina and the sclera but not in the lens and cornea. Retina demonstrated the highest level of IGF-I and IGF-II expression. Our results suggest autocrine and paracrine effects of the IGFs and their possible involvement in normal eye physiology as well as in the pathogenesis of certain eye diseases.
Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Greece.
J
J
Danias
F
F
Stylianopoulou
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015342:DNA Probes; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000235:genetics*
D015342:DNA Probes; D013002:Somatomedins; D012313:RNA; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II