Red fluorescent protein allows visualization of Endothelin-2 expression in the cornea

The image shows the eye of a transgenic mouse I generated under normal lighting and under green light with a red filter. The genome of this mouse has been altered to produce to produce red fluorescent protein, derived originally from a jellyfish gene, in any cell would also produce the protein Endothelin-2. This allows me to visually examine mice and easily see where Endothelin is being produced. This is the first time Endothelin-2 has been observed in the cornea of the eye. The expression is unique and striking, and follows a punctuate or stippled pattern. The protein may be involved in preventing blood vessels from growing in front of the eye, or in renewing the local stem cells to prevent what is lost during environmental exposure.Ope