Localization of LGR7 gene expression in adult mouse brain using LGR7 knock-out/LacZ knock-in mice: Correlation with LGR7 mRNA distribution

Abstract

Knowledge of the distribution of the relaxin receptor, LGR7, in the brain provides a basis for studies of the physiologic actions of relaxin. LGR7 knock-out (KO) mice were produced by the in-frame replacement of LGR7 exon 10 and 11 with a LacZ-reporter cassette (knock-in [KI]), and in this study we used LGR7-KO/iacZ-KI mice to determine the regional/cellular distribution of LGR7 gene expression in adult mouse brain by assessing β-galactosidase activity in perfusion-fixed sections. High densities of β-galactosidasepositive neurons were detected in anterior olfactory and claustrum/endopiriform nuclei, deep layers of cortex (particularly somatosensory), and the subiculum. Low to moderate densit..