BAC-Dkk3-EGFP transgenic mouse: an in vivo analytical tool for Dkk3 expression.
Dickkopf (DKK) family proteins are secreted modulators of the Wnt signaling pathway and are capable of regulating the development of many organs and tissues. We previously identified Dkk3 to be a molecule predominantly expressed in the mouse embryonic retina. However, which cell expresses Dkk3 in the developing and mature mouse retina remains to be elucidated. To examine the precise expression of the Dkk3 protein, we generated BAC-Dkk3-EGFP transgenic mice that express EGFP integrated into the Dkk3 gene in a BAC plasmid. Expression analysis using the BAC-Dkk3-EGFP transgenic mice revealed that Dkk3 is expressed in retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) at embryonic stages and in Müller glial cells in the adult retina. Since Müller glial cells may play a potential role in retinal regeneration, BAC-Dkk3-EGFP mice could be useful for retinal regeneration studies.
CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Osaka, Suita, Japan.
Yuki
Y
Muranishi
Takahisa
T
Furukawa
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D022202:Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C405061:Dkk3 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins