Abstract
Purpose:
During development pancreas-specific transcription factor 1a (Ptf1a) plays an essential role in the formation of neuroretinal cells. Since our previous data from mouse retina revealed that Foxk1 is upregulated in Ptf1a-deficient mice we investigated the spatial and temporal expression of Foxk1 during the development of mouse retina.
Methods:
The expression of Foxk1 was analyzed on both mRNA and protein level. To identify Foxk1 transcripts, retina and cerebrum (positive control) of adult animals (postnatal day 158 (P158)) was subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of the amplified cDNA. The Foxk1 protein was analyzed in adult retina by Western blotting and in developing eyes at embryonic day (E) 12, E14, E16, E18, P0, P3, P7, P14 and P158 by immunohistochemistry. Localization of Foxk1 expression was determined using cell-specific markers by double-labeling.
Results:
Foxk1 transcripts were detected in adult retina by RT-PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of Foxk1 protein in the adult retina. Immunohistochemical examination of developing eyes localized the protein to horizontal, biopolar, amacrine and ganglion cells with an onset of Foxk1 expression from E18 onwards.
Conclusions:
The expression pattern during development suggests that Foxk1 may have an important role in the formation of retinal cells.
Keywords: 698 retinal development •
691 retina: proximal (bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells) •
689 retina: distal (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells)