title: Urokinase expression during the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of the avian somite.
abstract: Early events in the morphogenesis of the axial skeleton involve an epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of the somites. Cells of the ventromedial wall of the somite (the sclerotome) migrate to regions surrounding the notochord and neural tube and condense to form the cartilage model of the vertebrae. Urokinase activity in the axial region of the quail embryo trunk was found to increase during these stages. In situ hybridization localized urokinase mRNA expression in this region and suggests an important role for this protease in the process of cell migration and matrix remodeling during development of the axial skeleton.
authors: Department of Anatomy, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: McGuire
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003370:Coturnix / Q000196:embryology*; D003720:Densitometry; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator