title: Analysis of cardiac and renal endothelin receptors by in situ hybridization in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a multifunctional peptide, which is implicated in the renal and cardiac physicology as well as in many pathologies of these systems. ET-1's actions take place after the activation of two receptors: ET(A) and ET(B). The expression of these receptors may be modulated during the pathologic process. The analysis of the distribution and level of expression of the receptors in animal models is therefore crucial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a protocol for non-radioactive in situ hybridization for the mRNA of the two endothelin receptors on paraffin-embedded tissue using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In heart and kidney, the staining was reliable and specific. In a mouse model for endothelin/nitric oxide imbalance, cardiac ET(B) expression was reduced. The distribution of the receptors was in accordance with the actual knowledge. Differences in cell specific expression are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We developed a protocol for the in situ hybridization of the endothelin receptors in mice. Given that the endothelin system is implicated in the development of many diseases, we believe that this protocol may be useful for a number of future preclinical studies..
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Research/Institute of Pharmacology, Charité, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vignon-Zellweger
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rahnenführer
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Theuring
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hocher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000172:deficiency; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase