Table 2. Changes in expression of genes in the Wnt signaling pathway in Mgp-/- compared to wild-type aortae.
| Gene | Gene product | Fold change | p-value | Role in Wnt/β-catenin signaling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ccnd3 | Cyclin D3 | 2.32* | 0.021 | Co-activator of nuclear β-catenin [56] |
| Lef1 | Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 | 3.63* | 0.036 | Co-activator of nuclear β-catenin [57] |
| Pitx2 | Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 | 2.72** | 0.009 | Co-activator of nuclear β-catenin [58] |
| Tle2 | Transducin-like enhancer of split 2, homolog of Drosophila E(spl) | 2.62* | 0.014 | possible link between Wnt and Notch signaling [59] |
| Wnt3a | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 3A | 2.70* | 0.020 | |
| Wnt4 | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 4 | 3.23* | 0.028 | |
| Up-regulated, low abundance (Ct > 35) | ||||
| Fshb | Follicle stimulating hormone beta | 2.73** | 0.005 | transcriptional co-activator for aromatase [60] |
| Wnt1 | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 1 | 2.35** | 0.005 | |
| Wnt10a | Wingless related MMTV integration site 10a | 2.35** | 0.005 | |
| Wnt3 | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 3 | 2.41* | 0.031 | |
| Wnt7a | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 7A | 2.35** | 0.005 | |
| Wnt7b | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 7B | 2.73** | 0.005 | |
| Wnt8a | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 8A | 3.08* | 0.031 | |
| Down-regulated genes | ||||
| Fzd2 | Frizzled homolog 2 (Drosophila) | -2.85* | 0.011 | |
| Sost | Sclerostin | -165.46*** | 0.006 | Negative regulator of Wnt signaling [61] |
| Wif1 | Wnt inhibitory factor 1 | -8.56* | 0.013 | |
| Wnt16 | Wingless-related MMTV integration site 16 | -17.98*** | 0.001 | non-canonical Wnt signaling, possible link to Notch signaling [62] |
Aortic tissue from 4.5 week old animals was analyzed using a qRT-PCR-based microarray N=6. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001.