title: Redneck, a new mutant of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) likely affects the development of cranial neural crest.
abstract: A novel developmental mutant in the Mexican axolotl is described. Designated redneck (rn), the mutant gene is inherited as a simple Mendelian recessive. In homozygotes, rn causes massive haemorrhage in the posterior head, rostrocaudal compression of the craniovisceral skeleton, abnormal differentiation of vertebral cartilage, micrognathia, aglossia, microphthalmia and abnormal hepatic development. Affected larvae become evident at the onset of feeding, and eventually die of starvation. Based on the tissues affected, we propose that rn affects later developmental events in the differentiation and morphogenesis of a subset of cranial neural crest cells. Thus, rn may prove a valuable model system for examining the role of neural crest cells in the development of cranial and endodermal derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Gravesmith Laboratory for Embryological Enquiry, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. smithsc@mb.sympatico.ca
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000557:Ambystoma; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006720:Homozygote; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology*; D010375:Pedigree
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins