Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is active in pancreatic development of rat embryo.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in pancreatic development of rat embryo.


METHODS
The mRNAs of beta-catenin, APC, cyclin D1 genes were amplified by means of semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from embryonic pancreas in different periods and normal pancreas of rat, respectively. Protein expression of these genes in embryonic pancreas of E14.5-E18.5 was examined by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
In embryonic pancreas of E14.5, the transcript amplification of beta-catenin and cyclinD1 genes was detected. In embryonic pancreas of E18.5, the transcription levels of beta-catenin and cyclinD1 genes became much higher than in other periods. But in adult rat pancreas the transcription of cyclinD1 gene could not be observed. Only until E18.5, the transcript amplification of mRNA of APC gene could be detected. Surprisingly, the transcription level of APC gene became much higher in adult rat pancreas than in embryonic pancreas. By means of immunohistochemical staining, identical results were obtained to the above by RP-PCR, except for beta-catenin protein in adult rat pancreas.


CONCLUSIONS
Active Wnt/beta-catenin signaling occurs in rat embryonic pancreas and is probably important for pancreatic development and organ formation.
Wang
Qi-Ming
QM
Department of Anatomy, School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. wangqiming-6@163.com
Zhang
Ye
Y
Yang
Kai-Ming
KM
Zhou
Hong-Ying
HY
Yang
Hui-Jun
HJ