Enteric neurons express Steel factor-lacZ transgene in the murine gastrointestinal tract

Brain Res. 1996 Nov 4;738(2):323-8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(96)00935-3.

Abstract

The cells that express Steel factor (SLF) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract were studied using SLF-lacZ transgenic mice. Expression, detected by beta-galactosidase histochemistry, was evident in cells between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers in the GI tract. Double staining with antibodies specific for the neural markers, PGP 9.5, MAP2 and c-Ret, showed that SLF-lacZ positive cells were enteric neurons. Enteroglia did not express SLF-lacZ. The distribution of expressing cells was complimentary to the expression of c-Kit in myenteric interstitial cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Digestive System / cytology
  • Digestive System / metabolism*
  • Enteric Nervous System / cytology
  • Enteric Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lac Operon*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis
  • Stem Cell Factor / genetics*
  • beta-Galactosidase / analysis

Substances

  • Stem Cell Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • beta-Galactosidase