Immunolocalization of cyclin D1 in the developing tens of c-maf -/- mice

The maf gene encodes a transcription factor protein containing a typical basic/leucine zipper domain structure, a motif for protein dimerization and DNA binding. It has been demonstrated that maf family genes have important roles in embryonic development and cellular differentiation. In this study, localization of cyclin D1, one of the cell cycle-related molecules, was examined immunohistochemically in developing tens cells of c-maf knockout (-/-) mice. At embryonic day 14 in wild-type mice, tens cells consisted of round epithelial. cells in a single layer and regularly arranged elongated tens cells, indicating primary tens fiber cells. Cyclin D1-positive nuclei were observed in the tens epithelial, cells, whereas cyclin D1 was not detected in the primary tens fiber cells. In c-maf -/- mice, a variety of round epithelial, cells were located in the anterior and posterior tens. Many cyclin D1-positive nuclei were observed in tens epithelial cells as welt as posterior tens cells. These results are consistent with c-maf playing a role in the regulation of cychin D1 in developing tens cells. (c) 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.