Figure 4

RT-PCR analysis of Hox gene expression in adult blood vessels. (A) Total RNA derived from hindlimb blood vessels (6 wk old FVB/NTac mice) as defined in the text was used for cDNA synthesis, and Hox-specific cDNA fragments were amplified by using primers specific for the AbdB-type Hoxc genes; this resulted in PCR products in the expected size range for Hoxc9 (323 bp), Hoxc10 (350 bp), and Hoxc11 (435 bp); PCR reactions with primers specific for the Hoxc11 and Hoxc10 paralogous genes (Hoxa11 and Hoxd11, as well as Hoxa10 and Hoxd10) resulted in amplification products in the expected size range for Hoxa11 (220 bp), Hoxd11 (131 bp), and Hoxd10 (286 bp), whereas no product was detected for Hoxa10; positive control reaction: Gapdh-specific primers; MW: molecular weight standards in base pairs (bp). (B) RT-PCR analysis of Hoxa3 and Hoxc11 expression in adult mouse (6 wk) blood vessel segments including aortic arch (AA), descending thoracic aorta (DA), and distal femoral artery (dFA); positive control reaction was performed with β-actin-specific primers.