title: Type II cytokeratin expression in adult vertebrate spinal cord.
abstract: The phylogenetic evolution of the expression of type II cytokeratins (CKs) in the spinal cord of different adult vertebrates has been studied using an anti-CK immunohistochemical technique. Type II CK expression was stronger in lower vertebrates, specially anuran amphibians, than in higher vertebrates. No CK expression was found either in reptiles or birds, but a weak expression was demonstrated in mammals. The main neuroectodermal cell implicated in CK expression was the ependymocyte; some CK-positive radial astrocytes were also found in amphibians and fish, but neither CK-positive astrocytes nor neurons were observed in any vertebrate group. The functional significance of CK expression in the vertebrate spinal cord is not known. CKs do not have a consistent pattern of expression amongst vertebrates; however, the most common site is the ependyma.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D010802:Phylogeny; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins