Transcription factor AP-2 is expressed in neural crest cell lineages during mouse embryogenesis.
We have analyzed the expression pattern of transcription factor AP-2 in mouse embryos to evaluate the potential of AP-2 as a regulator during vertebrate development. A partial cDNA encoding AP-2 was isolated from a mouse embryo cDNA library and used to prepare probes to measure AP-2 mRNA levels by RNase protection and RNA in situ hybridization. Between 10.5 and 15.5 days of embryogenesis, the relative abundance of AP-2 mRNA is greatest at 11.5 days and declines steadily thereafter. RNA in situ hybridization analysis of embryos between 8.5 and 12.5 days of gestation identified a novel expression pattern for AP-2. The principle part of this expression occurs in neural crest cells and their major derivatives, including cranial and spinal sensory ganglia and facial mesenchyme. AP-2 is also expressed in surface ectoderm and in a longitudinal column of the spinal cord and hindbrain that is contacted by neural crest-derived sensory ganglia. Additional expression of AP-2 occurs in limb bud mesenchyme and in meso-metanephric regions. This embryonic expression pattern is spatially and temporally consistent with a role for AP-2 in regulating transcription of genes involved in the morphogenesis of the peripheral nervous system, face, limbs, skin, and nephric tissues.
Mitchell
P J
PJ
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Timmons
P M
PM
Hébert
J M
JM
Rigby
P W
PW
Tjian
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA / Q000196:embryology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA