Peroxisome biogenesis occurs in late dorsal-anterior structures in the development of Xenopus laevis.
Metabolism and development are two important processes not often examined in the same context. The focus of the present study is the expression of specific peroxisomal genes, the subsequent biogenesis of peroxisomes, and their potential role in the metabolism associated with the development of Xenopus laevis embryos. The temporal and expression patterns of six peroxisomal genes (PEX5, ACO, PEX19, PMP70, PEX16, and catalase) were elucidated using RT-PCR. Functionally related peroxisomal genes exhibited similar expression patterns with their RNA levels elevated relatively late during embryogenesis. Using immunohistochemistry PMP70 and catalase protein was localized largely to dorsal-anterior structures. Peroxisomal function was assayed with peroxisomal targeted-GFP, which when microinjected, revealed peroxisomes in dorsal-anterior structures at stage 45. A requirement for peroxisomal function appears to be present only late in development as organogenesis is finishing, yolk stores are depleted, and ingestion commences.
Cooper
Colin A
CA
Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Walsh
Logan A
LA
Damjanovski
Sashko
S
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001483:Base Sequence; D019521:Body Patterning; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020675:Peroxisomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D017931:DNA Primers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D012313:RNA; D002374:Catalase