BAC-Dkk3-EGFPTransgenic Mouse: AnIn VivoAnalytical Tool forDkk3Expression

摘要

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 identifiedDkk3to be a molecule predominantly expressed in the mouse embryonic retina. However, which cell expressesDkk3in the developing and mature mouse retina remains to be elucidated. To examine the precise expression of theDkk3protein, we generatedBAC-Dkk3-EGFPtransgenic mice that express EGFP integrated into theDkk3gene in a BAC plasmid. Expression analysis using theBAC-Dkk3-EGFPtransgenic mice revealed thatDkk3is 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-EGFPmice could be useful for retinal regeneration studies.