title: Localization of LGR7 gene expression in adult mouse brain using LGR7 knock-out/LacZ knock-in mice: correlation with LGR7 mRNA distribution.
abstract: Knowledge of the distribution of the relaxin receptor, LGR7, in the brain provides a basis for studies of the physiologic actions of relaxin. LGR7 knock-out (KO) mice were produced by the in-frame replacement of LGR7 exon 10 and 11 with a LacZ-reporter cassette (knock-in [KI]), and in this study we used LGR7-KO/LacZ-KI mice to determine the regional/cellular distribution of LGR7 gene expression in adult mouse brain by assessing beta-galactosidase activity in perfusion-fixed sections. High densities of beta-galactosidase-positive neurons were detected in anterior olfactory and claustrum/endopiriform nuclei, deep layers of cortex (particularly somatosensory), and the subiculum. Low to moderate densities were detected in olfactory bulb (periglomerular layer), cingulate cortex, subfornical organ, hippocampal CA2/dentate hilus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and thalamus. This LGR7/LacZ expression appears to recapitulate that of native LGR7 in wild-type mice and provides a model to further investigate the phenotype of LGR7-responsive neurons in the brain and to help reveal functions associated with central relaxin signaling.
authors.affiliation: Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piccenna
authors.forename: Pei-Juan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Sherie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Tanya C D
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Burazin
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gossen
authors.forename: Sietse
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mosselman
authors.forename: Ross A D
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bathgate
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gundlach
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C478103:RXFP1 protein, mouse; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D001616:beta-Galactosidase