Novel domains of expression for orphan receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 in the human and mouse reproductive system.

Abstract

The noncanonical Wnt receptor and tyrosine kinase Ror2 has been associated with recessive Robinow syndrome (RRS) and dominant brachydactyly type B1. The phenotypes of mouse mutants implicate Ror2 in the development of the heart, lungs, bone, and craniofacial structures, which are affected in RRS. Following a recently identified role of Ror2 in the migration of mouse primordial germ cells, we extensively characterized its expression throughout the fetal internal reproductive system and the postnatal ductal system. We show that Ror2 gene products are present in the germ cells and somatic cells of the testis and the ovary of both the mouse and human fetus. In reproductive tract structures, we find that Ror2 is expressed in the mesonephros, developing Wolffian and Müllerian ducts, and later in their derivatives, the epididymal epithelium and uterine epithelium. This study sets the stage to explore function for this tyrosine kinase receptor in novel regions of expression in the developing reproductive system in both mouse and human.