title: Real-time PCR quantification of gene expression in embryonic mouse tissue.
abstract: The Gbx family of transcription factors consists of two closely related proteins GBX1 and GBX2. A defining feature of the GBX family is a highly conserved 60 amino acid DNA-binding domain, which differs by just two amino acids. Gbx1 and Gbx2 are co-expressed in several areas of the developing central nervous system including the forebrain, anterior hindbrain, and spinal cord, suggesting the potential for genetic redundancy. However, there is a spatiotemporal difference in expression of Gbx1 and Gbx2 in the forebrain and spinal cord. Gbx2 has been shown to play a critical role in positioning the midbrain/hindbrain boundary and developing anterior hindbrain, whereas gene-targeting experiments in mice have revealed an essential function for Gbx1 in the spinal cord for normal locomotion. To determine if Gbx2 could potentially compensate for a loss of Gbx1 in the developing spinal cord, we performed real-time PCR to examine levels of Gbx2 expression in Gbx1(-/-) spinal cord at embryonic day (E) 13.5, a developmental stage when Gbx2 is rapidly downregulated. We demonstrate that Gbx2 expression is elevated in the spinal cord of Gbx1(-/-) embryos.
authors: Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Villalon
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Schulz
authors: Samuel T
authors: ST
authors: Waters
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000196:embryology; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000196:embryology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: C490147:Gbx1 protein, mouse; C513182:Gbx2 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins