Analysis of cCx39 expression pattern during chick development.
The present study reports the expression pattern of connexin39 (cCx39) in chick embryos at different stages of central nervous system development. We examined the expression between HH17 and HH40 developmental stages of chicken embryos by in situ hybridization (ISH) technique. Connexin39 was first expressed at HH17. It stained neuroepithelial cells in the optic (OV) and telencephalic (TEL) vesicles, plus in the superficial mesenchyme of the two rostral branchial arches (maxilar and mandibular). These cells probably originated from the neural crest. This expression pattern changed drastically between stages HH17 and HH23, while it showed relatively little modifications from HH23 to HH29. At these times, connexin39 was expressed in three regions: the telencephalic vesicle, the diencephalon and the isthmus. At later stages, HH35 and HH40, connexin39 was mainly expressed in the ventricular epithelium and three cell layers of the stratum griseum and fibrosum superficialis (SGFS) in the optic tectum, as well as in granular and nuclear cells in the cerebellum. In conclusion, the expression pattern of connexin39 in embryonic nervous system is dynamic. This pattern is different from, and in some aspects complementary to, those showed by other connexins during brain development.
Nicotra
Annalisa
A
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiologiche, Università di Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Cicirata
Federico
F
Martinez
Salvador
S
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D002642:Chick Embryo; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000378:metabolism
D017630:Connexins