Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the function of homeodomain interacting protein kinase family proteins(HIPKs), HIPK1, HIPK2, and HIPK3, during mouse eye development.
Methods: :
To examine the HIPKs expression pattern, RT–PCR analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and in situ hybridization were performed. For functional analysis, single or double knock out mice of HIPK1 and HIPK2 were analyzed morphologically.
Results: :
In the RT–PCR analysis,HIPK1 and HIPK2 were expressed during late embryogenesis. In the immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization, HIPK2 was localized to the ganglion cell layer at E14.5. The eye of HIPK1+/– HIPK2–/– mouse showed decreased size, thickened retina and small lens as compared to the eye of wild type littermate. In addition, some of them showed colobomatous microphthalmia occupied by hyperplasic retina without lens, which was partially penetrant with 22 %.
Conclusions: :
HIPKs are involved in regulation of retinal cell number and lens morphology during late embryogenesis.
Keywords: retinal development • apoptosis/cell death • development