Analysis of spatial and temporal gene expression patterns in blastula and gastrula stage chick embryos.
Studies on the genetic basis of rostral-caudal specification, neural induction, and head development require knowledge of the relevant gene expression patterns. Gaps in our understanding of gene expression have led us to examine the detailed spatiotemporal expression patterns of 19 genes implicated in early development, to learn more about their potential role in specifying and patterning early developmental processes leading to head formation. Here, we report the expression patterns of these markers in blastula- and gastrula-stage chick embryos, using whole-mount in situ hybridisation. Nodal, Fgf8, Bmp7, Chordin, Lim1, Hnf3beta, Otx2, Goosecoid, Cerberus, Hex, Dickkopf1, and Crescent are all already expressed by the time the egg is laid. When the primitive streak has reached its full length, a later group of genes, including Ganf, Six3, Bmp2, Bmp4, Noggin, Follistatin, and Qin (BF1), begins to be expressed. We reassess current models of early rostral patterning based on the analysis of these dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns.
Chapman
Susan C
SC
MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, New Hunts House, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom. susan.chapman@kcl.ac.uk
Schubert
Frank R
FR
Schoenwolf
Gary C
GC
Lumsden
Andrew
A
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005775:Gastrula / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D014157:Transcription Factors