Immunohistochemical Characterisation of Cell-Type Specific Expression of CK1δ in Various Tissues of Young Adult BALB/c Mice

BACKGROUND: Casein kinase 1 delta (CK1δ) phosphorylates many key proteins playing important roles in such biological processes as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, circadian rhythm and vesicle transport. Furthermore, deregulation of CK1δ has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In this study, the cell specific distribution of CK1δ in various tissues and organs of young adult BALB/c mice was analysed by immunohistochemistry. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Immunohistochemical staining of CK1δ was performed using three different antibodies against CK1δ. A high expression of CK1δ was found in a variety of tissues and organ systems and in several cell types of endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal origin. CONCLUSIONS: These results give an overview of the cell-type specific expression of CK1δ in different organs under normal conditions. Thus, they provide evidence for possible cell-type specific functions of CK1δ, where CK1δ can interact with and modulate the activity of key regulator proteins by site directed phosphorylation. Furthermore, they provide the basis for future analyses of CK1δ in these tissues.