Homeobox gene expression in the intestinal epithelium of adult mice. |
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Authors: | R James J Kazenwadel |
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Affiliation: | Melbourne Tumour Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, P.O. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. |
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Abstract: | Using a polymerase chain reaction-based strategy, we have detected the expression of nine different homeobox genes in adult mouse intestine. Included among these are the recently described intestine-specific Cdx-1 gene and a new, related gene, Cdx-2. Southern blot experiments show that Cdx-2 is present in a single copy in the mouse genome. Of several adult mouse tissues assayed, intestine was the only one that contained detectable levels of Cdx-2 mRNA. Expression of all nine homeobox genes in different regions of the intestine was quantitated by RNase protection analysis, which revealed a unique expression profile for each gene. These observations suggest that homeobox gene expression may play an important role in cellular differentiation in the adult intestine. |
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