title: Replication-defective virus infection of feather buds produces a localized region of beta-galactosidase activity.
abstract: We are interested in using retroviral vectors to trace cell lineage and to introduce exogenous genes in chicken skin explant cultures. Here the LZ10 virus carrying the gene encoding beta-galactosidase was introduced to the skin explants by two different means: a) the virus was added to the media or b) the virus was microinjected into regions of the developing feather buds. Infection by microinjection led to localized expression of beta-galactosidase in the developing feather bud, while, surprisingly, infection by adding the virus to the culture media led to localized band of beta-galactosidase expression in the middle of the feather filament. The significance of this finding in skin morphogenesis and as a tool for experimental embryology is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Widelitz
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chuong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001358:Avian Sarcoma Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D014779:Virus Replication; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001616:beta-Galactosidase