The Lgr5 transgene is expressed specifically in glycinergic amacrine cells in the mouse retina

Exp Eye Res. 2014 Feb:119:106-10. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.11.003. Epub 2013 Nov 15.

Abstract

Retinal amacrine cells are a diverse set of interneurons within the inner nuclear layer. The canonical Wnt pathway is highly active within mature amacrine cells, but its role remains unclear. Leucine-rich repeat containing G-protein receptor 5 (Lgr5) is a newly identified component of the Wnt receptor complex that potentiates beta-catenin signaling. In multiple epithelial organs Lgr5 marks adult tissue stem cells. We investigated the expression of this gene using Lgr5-eGFP-IRES-CreER transgenic reporter mice. In the eye, Lgr5 was exclusively expressed in glycinergic amacrine cells in adult mice. Amacrine cells are post-mitotic and represent the first neuronal and non-stem cell lineage to express Lgr5. We further interrogated the spatiotemporal labeling of individual amacrine cells with controlled fluorophore expression. This "fluorofilling" technique provides a tool to study amacrine morphology and dissect neural networks.

Keywords: Lgr5; Wnt; amacrine cells; markers; retina.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amacrine Cells / cytology
  • Amacrine Cells / drug effects
  • Amacrine Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Glycine Agents / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Glycine Agents
  • Lgr5 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled