title: A multiphasic role for Pax7 in tectal development.
abstract: The optic tectum differentiates from the mesencephalic alar plate and matures into a characteristically laminated structure. Evidence presented here suggests a role for Pax7 in all stages of development of tectal architecture, from regionalisation to specification of neurons and tectal topography. Analysis of Pax7 expression profiles over a range of developmental stages (E2-E12) suggests a biphasic role for Pax7: initially Pax7 expressing cells in the proliferative neuroepithelial layer establish tectal polarity whereas later Pax7 is expressed in neurons of the retino-recipient precursor stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale (sgfs) laminae where graded levels may establish tectal topography. Furthermore, co-localisation immunofluorescence confirmed that Pax7 is initially expressed in the majority of proliferative neuroepithelial cells and later in a subset of neurons of the sgfs laminae.
authors.affiliation: School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beazley
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D046569:Neuroepithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor