EXPRESSION OF CASEIN KINASE-2 DURING MOUSE EMBRYOGENESIS

This paper deals with the expression and distribution of casein kinase 2 (CK-2) Embryogenesis subunits in mouse embryos at different develop mental stages. Expression was investigated at the mRNA level of CK-2 a lpha- and beta-subunits by in situ hybridization and distribution at t he protein level by immunohistochemistry using CK-2-alpha- and CK-2-be ta-specific antibodies, respectively. In general both methods gave sim ilar results. In earlier stages of mouse embryonic development (day 10 .5 after coitus) CK-2 was more expressed in neuroepithelia than in all other tissues. From day 11.5 after coitus on, high expression of CK-2 was detected in all epithelia. From day 16.5 on, all tissues and anla gen of the fetus involved in organogenesis revealed a higher CK-2 expr ession as compared with secondary mesenchyma. The only difference betw een in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry was observed in the skin. Transcripts of CK-2 were found mostly in the basal layer of the epidermis and in the nuclei of keratinocytes, whereas CK-2 protein was almost exclusively found in the cytoplasm of epidermal cells.