Expression analysis of the NDRG2 gene in mouse embryonic and adult tissues

Cell Tissue Res. 2006 Jul;325(1):67-76. doi: 10.1007/s00441-005-0137-5. Epub 2006 Mar 7.

Abstract

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is believed to be involved in cell growth events. However, its exact function is still unknown. To elucidate the role of this gene, we used an anti-Ndrg2 monoclonal antibody in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays to analyze the expression pattern of Ndrg2 protein in mouse embryos at various gestational ages and in a variety of adult mouse tissues. Ndrg2 immunoreactivity was generally localized to the cytoplasm. During mouse development, Ndrg2 expression was observed in many developing tissues and organs including the heart, brain, lung, gut, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, cartilage, chorion, epidermis, and whisker follicles. Ndrg2 expression was developmentally dynamic, being generally lower in the early stages of development and markedly increasing during later stages. Ndrg2 expression was also observed in a variety of adult mouse tissues, particularly in the heart and brain. This is the first demonstration of Ndrg2 protein expression in both embryonic and adult mouse tissues. Our results suggest that NDRG2 plays important roles in histogenesis and organogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Ndr2 protein, mouse
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate