In situ analysis of gene expression in Xenopus embryos.
The molecular anatomy of the vertebrate embryo was systematically analysed through gene expression during early development of the Xenopus frog using whole-mount in situ hybridization. Expression patterns are documented and assembled into the database Axeldb (http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/abt0135/axeldb.htm). Synexpression groups representing genes with shared, complex expression pattern that predict molecular pathways involved in patterning and differentiation have been identified. These sets of co-regulated genes show a striking similarity with operons, and may be a key determinant facilitating evolutionary change leading to animal diversity.
Pollet
Nicolas
N
Laboratoire de transgenèse et génétique des amphibiens, CNRS UMR 8080, IBAIC Bât. 447, université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France. Nicolas.Pollet@ibaic.u-psud.fr
Delius
Hajo
H
Niehrs
Christof
C
D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*