A useful transgenic mouse line for studying the development of spinal nociceptive circuits

Neurosci Lett. 2009 Jan 30;450(2):211-6. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.11.054. Epub 2008 Nov 30.

Abstract

Noxious peripheral stimuli are detected by nociceptive DRG sensory neurons; this information is transmitted to the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, relayed to the brain, then perceived as pain. Previous studies have shown that Wnt signaling plays a crucial role during the development of nociceptive circuits. We have reported a transgenic mouse line in which Tau-LacZ is driven by the promoter of one Wnt receptor, Frizzled10. Here, we further characterize this transgenic mouse line and present our findings that nociceptive circuits were specifically labeled by the Tau-LacZ transgene in developing spinal cord and DRG. Tau-LacZ specifically labeled commissural axons crossing the floor plate and transmitting nociceptive information to the brain. Thus this mouse line will provide a powerful genetic tool for studying the development of spinal nociceptive circuits and the mechanisms of commissural axon guidance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Calbindins
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Frizzled Receptors / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Pain* / genetics
  • Pain* / pathology
  • Pain* / physiopathology
  • Receptor, trkA / genetics
  • Receptor, trkA / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / genetics
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Spinal Cord / growth & development
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology*
  • tau Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Calbindins
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Fzd10 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • tau Proteins
  • Receptor, trkA