Expression of casein kinase 2 during mouse embryogenesis

This paper deals with the expression and distribution of casein kinase 2 (CK-2) subunits in mouse embryos at different developmental stages. Expression was investigated at the mRNA level of CK-2 alpha- and beta-subunits by in situ hybridization and distribution at the protein level by immunohistochemistry using CK-2-alpha- and CK-2-beta-specific antibodies, respectively. In general both methods gave similar 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 anlagen of the fetus involved in organogenesis revealed a higher CK-2 expression as compared with secondary mesenchyma. The only difference between 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.