Cyclic Nrarp mRNA expression is regulated by the somitic oscillator but Nrarp protein levels do not oscillate.
Somites are formed progressively from the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) in a highly regulated process according to a strict periodicity driven by an oscillatory mechanism. The Notch and Wnt pathways are key components in the regulation of this somitic oscillator and data from Xenopus and zebrafish embryos indicate that the Notch-downstream target Nrarp participates in the regulation of both activities. We have analyzed Nrarp/nrarp-a expression in the PSM of chick, mouse and zebrafish embryos, and we show that it cycles in synchrony with other Notch regulated cyclic genes. In the mouse its transcription is both Wnt- and Notch-dependent, whereas in the chick and fish embryo it is simply Notch-dependent. Despite oscillating mRNA levels, Nrarp protein does not oscillate in the PSM. Finally, neither gain nor loss of Nrarp function interferes with the normal expression of Notch-related cyclic genes.
Wright
David
D
Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
Ferjentsik
Zoltan
Z
Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
Chong
Shang-Wei
SW
Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
Qiu
Xuehui
X
Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
Yun-Jin
Jiang
J
Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
Malapert
Pascale
P
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Pourquié
Olivier
O
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Van Hateren
Nick
N
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Wilson
Stuart A
SA
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Franco
Claudio
C
Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute-Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom.
Gerhardt
Holger
H
Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute-Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom.
Dale
J Kim
JK
Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
Maroto
Miguel
M
Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010507:Periodicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D019170:Somites / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C499040:Nrarp protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051880:Receptors, Notch