HEDGEHOG AND PATCHED GENE-EXPRESSION IN ADULT OCULAR-TISSUES

We analysed the expression of members of the hh gene family in adult o cular tissues of newt, frog and mouse by RT-PCR method. Shh displayed restricted expression in the neural retina that was conserved in each species analyzed, X-bhh, X-chh and mouse Ihh were detected in the iris and in the retinal pigment epithelium, while mouse Dhh was detected a dditionally in the neural retina and faintly in the cornea, We also fo und that two types of ptc genes, potential BL targets and receptors, w ere expressed in these tissues, suggesting the presence of active hh s ignalling there. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies .