SUMMARY. Using conditional knockout approach we have studied the expression level of genes-members of canonical WNT-pathway (TСF-4, Axin2) and genes under control of the pathway (с-fos, cyclin D1, c-myc, Сх43) in the myocardium of animals under β-catenin haplo-insufficiency conditions. We observed the inhibition of canonical Wnt-signaling at all studied age groups (1, 3 and 6 months). Analysis of genes controlled by the canonical Wnt-pathway showed the alteration of gene expression level in the tissues of animals with cardiospecific β-catenin haploinsufficiency. The importance of normal canonical Wnt-signaling functioning for the growth and development of adult heart is discussed.
Keywords: heart development, myocardium, β-catenin, canonical Wnt-signaling, gene deletion
