Fzd8^tm1Dgen

A bacterial lacZ gene was inserted into the gene such that the endogenous gene promoter drives expression of beta-galactosidase. RT-PCR analysis detects a high level of gene transcript in the pituitary gland, moderate levels in brain, subcortical region, cerebellum, olfactory bulb, spinal cord, eye, Harderian glands, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, skin, gallbladder, urinary bladder, adrenal gland, large intestine, testis, epididymis, coagulating gland, prostate gland, ovaries, uterus and white fat and low levels in cortex, brainstem, pancreas, thymus, lymph nodes, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, tongue, stomach, small intestine, cecum and seminal vesicle. Beta-galactosidase expression from this allele is detectable in many of the organs examined. Most striking staining was detected in the aorta and other blood vessels, the capsule of the adrenal gland, tracheal cartilage and neural ganglia. Staining was observed in different tissue and cell types, including neurons, epithelium, cartilage and blood vessels.