The circadian gene Clock is required for the correct early expression of the head specific gene Otx2.
The circadian cycle is a universal molecular mechanism for imposing cyclical control on cellular processes. Here we have examined the role of one of the crucial circadian genes, Clock, in early Xenopus development. We show that a dominant negative version of Clock can block the function of the endogenous Clock gene. Doing so during early development reduces Otx2 expression in a highly specific manner and results in anterior defects. Together with previous work (Green et al. (2001) Mech. Dev. 105-110), these results suggest that a positive regulatory loop exists between Clock and Otx2.
Morgan
Richard
R
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. rmorgan@sghms.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D019281:Dimerization; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017353:Gene Deletion; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014981:Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; C497661:Otx2 protein, Xenopus; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D012313:RNA; D008156:Luciferases; D056926:CLOCK Proteins