title: Cyclic Nrarp mRNA expression is regulated by the somitic oscillator but Nrarp protein levels do not oscillate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ferjentsik
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shang-Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
authors.forename: Xuehui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Signalling and Patterning, Genes and Development Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yun-Jin
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malapert
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pourquié
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Hateren
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute-Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute-Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J Kim
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroto
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C499040:Nrarp protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051880:Receptors, Notch