DLK1 Protein Expression during Mouse Development Provides New Insights into Its Function

Figure 2

DLK1 protein expression in the developing mouse embryo. (A) and (B) They show sagittal sections of ED10 and ED12 embryos, respectively, that were stained for the presence of DLK1 protein. DLK1 is present in the forebrain region at the location of the developing hypothalamus and pituitary gland (arrow in (A)), liver, somites, and the tongue, whereas staining is absent in the developing heart. ((C)–(F)) They show sagittal sections of the skull base, mouth, thorax, and abdominal regions of ED16 embryo, with widely distributed DLK1 protein expression. Staining is absent in heart, intestine, stomach, and kidneys. ((G)–(I)) They show sagittal sections of ED18 embryo in the same anatomical regions as shown for ED16, but now only residual DLK1 protein expression is seen in the pituitary gland, liver, and adrenal gland. (li) liver, (so) somites, (t) tongue (pi) pituitary, (e) eye, (sa) salivary gland, (st) sternum, (h) heart, (lu) lung, (v) vertebrae, (i) intestine, (pa) pancreas, (k) kidney, and (a) adrenal gland. Scale bar in (A) is applicable for ((B)–(I)).