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Developmental changes in Epac gene expression in mice
Author(s) -
Ulucan Coskun,
Wang Xu,
Baljinnyam Erdenechimeg,
Ishikawa Yoshihiro
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1152-a
Subject(s) - in situ hybridization , gene isoform , kidney , messenger rna , gene expression , fetus , lung , medicine , endocrinology , gene , biology , genetics , pregnancy
Background: A new PKA independent signaling pathway of cAMP was identified by the discovery of “Epacs”, of which the two isoforms, Epac1 and Epac2, exist. Objective: To examine changes in the mRNA expression of Epac isoforms during development. Methods: Gene expression of Epac1 and Epac2 in heart, brain, kidney, and lung of fetal, neonatal, 3 week and 12 week old mice (n=4–5, each) was analyzed semi‐quantitatively by real time PCR. Developmental Epac2 mRNA expression was analyzed by in‐situ hybridization (ISH) experiments with whole body mouse slices as well. Results: Epac1 gene expression in heart, brain and kidney of 12 week old mice increased by 79% (P<0.01), 71% (P<0.05) and 55% (P<0.001), respectively, compared to fetus. Epac2 expression levels showed distinct steeper increase in heart and brain by 475% (P<0.001) and 348% (P<0.001), respectively. In contrast, in kidney, Epac2 mRNA mostly disappeared in 3 week old mice by 94% (P<0.001). In lung for both Epac1, and Epac2 transient rise of mRNA was observed in 3 week old mice (59% and 99%, P<0.05). ISH with Epac2 provided further evidence for its spatially and temporally restricted expression pattern. Conclusion: Expression of Epac1 and Epac2 are developmentally regulated. In particular, dramatic changes in Epac2 expression may play an important role in the development of heart, brain and kidney.