Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare gene expression of pro-apoptotic molecules in the fetal and adult mouse eye. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eyes were collected from groups of BALB/c mice, at embryonic ages E16 and E18 (fetal) or 6-8 weeks of age (adult). RNA extracted from pooled eyes was analyzed by real-time PCR for transcript levels of pro-apoptotic molecules involved in the intrinsic or extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. RESULTS: Transcripts of intrinsic pathway molecules, Bad, Bak, and Bax, were relatively more highly expressed in the fetal mouse eyes, whereas extrinsic pathway molecules, Fas, FasL, and TRAIL had greater expression in the adult eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Different mechanisms of apoptosis are prominent at the fetal and mature stages of the mouse eye.