title: Shh regulates chick Ebf1 gene expression in somite development.
abstract: The chick early B-cell factor 1 (cEbf1) is a member of EBF family of helix loop helix transcription factors. Recently, we have proved that cEbf1 expression in feather is regulated by Shh. It is therefore possible that the somitic expression of cEbf1 is controlled by Shh signals from the notochord. To assess this hypothesis, the expression profile of cEbf1 was first detailed in somites of chick embryos (from HH8 to HH28). cEbf1 expression was mainly localised in the medial sclerotome and later around the vertebral cartilage anlagen of body and pedicles. Tissue manipulations (notochord ablation) and Shh gain and loss of function experiments were then performed to analyse whether the notochord and/or Shh regulate cEbf1 expression. Results from these experiments confirmed our hypothesis that the medial somitic expression of cEbf1 is regulated by Shh from the notochord. In conclusion, cEbf1 gene is considered as a medial sclerotome marker, downstream to and regulated by the notochord derived Shh, which may be functionally involved in somitogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, El-Geish Street, Kafrelsheikh Post Box 33516, Egypt; Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK. Electronic address: mohrizk73@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammed Abu
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Magd
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK.
authors.forename: Imelda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McGonnell
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, El-Geish Street, Kafrelsheikh Post Box 33516, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 228, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AJ, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 228, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AJ, UK.
authors.forename: Ketan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D044783:F-Box Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D009672:Notochord / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019170:Somites / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D044783:F-Box Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids; C000541:cyclopamine
keywords: Chick embryo; Ebf1; Gain and loss function; Microsurgery; Shh; Somite