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Normal Embryos (normal + embryo)
Selected AbstractsRetinoic acid is a negative physiological regulator of N-cadherin during early avian heart morphogenesisDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 9 2009Mahmoud Romeih The vitamin A-deficient (VAD) early avian embryo has a grossly abnormal cardiovascular system that is rescued by treating the embryo with the vitamin A-active form, retinoic acid (RA). Here we examine the role of N-cadherin (N-cad) in RA-regulated early cardiovascular morphogenesis. N-cad mRNA and protein are expressed globally in the presomite through HH14 normal and VAD quail embryos. The expression in VAD embryos prior to HH10 is significantly higher than that in normal embryos. Functional analyses of the N-cad overproducing VAD embryos reveal N-cad involvement in the RA-regulated cardiovascular development and suggest that N-cad expression may be mediated by Msx1. We provide evidence that in the early avian embryo, endogenous RA is a negative physiological regulator of N-cad. We hypothesize that a critical endogenous level of N-cad is needed for normal early cardiovascular morphogenesis to occur and that this level is ensured by stage-specific, developmentally regulated RA signaling. [source] Commitment and response to inductive signals of primary mesenchyme cells of the sea urchin embryoDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 1 2004Masato Kiyomoto In the sea urchin embryo, primary mesenchyme cells (PMC) are committed to produce the larval skeleton, although their behavior and skeleton production are influenced by signals from the embryonic environment. Results from our recent studies showed that perturbation of skeleton development, by interfering with ectoderm,extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, is linked to a reduction in the gene expression of a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta growth factor, Pl-univin, suggesting a reduction in the blastocoelic amounts of the protein and its putative involvement in signaling events. In the present study, we examined PMC competence to respond to environmental signals in a validated skeleton perturbation model in Paracentrotus lividus. We found that injection of blastocoelic fluid (BcF), obtained from normal embryos, into the blastocoelic cavity of skeleton-defective embryos rescues skeleton development. In addition, PMC from skeleton-defective embryos transplanted into normal or PMC-less blastula embryos are able to position in correct regions of the blastocoel and to engage spicule elongation and patterning. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PMC commitment to direct skeletogenesis is maintained in skeleton perturbed embryos and confirm the role played by inductive signals in regulating skeleton growth and shape. [source] Lineage-independent mosaic expression and regulation of the Ciona multidom gene in the ancestral notochordDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 7 2007Izumi Oda-Ishii Abstract The transcription factor Ciona Brachyury (Ci-Bra) plays an essential role in notochord development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. We characterized a putative Ci-Bra target gene, which we named Ci - multidom, and analyzed in detail its expression pattern in normal embryos and in embryos where Ci - Bra was misexpressed. Ci - multidom encodes a novel protein, which contains eight CCP domains and a partial VWFA domain. We show that an EGFP-multidom fusion protein localizes preferentially to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and is excluded from the nucleus. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrate that Ci - multidom is expressed in the notochord and in the anterior neural boundary (ANB). We found that the expression in the ANB is fully recapitulated by an enhancer element located upstream of Ci - multidom. By means of misexpression experiments, we provide evidence that Ci-Bra controls transcription of Ci - multidom in the notochord; however, while Ci-Bra is homogeneously expressed throughout this structure, Ci - multidom is transcribed at detectable levels only in a random subset of notochord cells. The number of notochord cells expressing Ci - multidom varies among different embryos and is independent of developmental stage, lineage, and position along the anterior,posterior axis. These results suggest that despite its morphological simplicity and invariant cell-lineage, the ancestral notochord is a mosaic of cells in which the gene cascade downstream of Brachyury is differentially modulated. Developmental Dynamics 236:1806,1819, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Microarray analysis of retinoid-dependent gene activity during rat embryogenesis: Increased collagen fibril production in a model of retinoid insufficiencyDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2004George R. Flentke Abstract Retinoic acid (RA) is an essential mediator of embryogenesis. Some, but not all, of its targets have been identified. We previously developed a rat model of gestational retinoid deficiency (RAD; Power et al. [1999] Dev. Dyn. 216:469,480) and generated embryos with developmental impairments that closely resemble genetic and dietary models of retinoid insufficiency. Here, we used microarray analysis and expression profiling to identify 88 transcripts whose abundance was altered under conditions of retinoid insufficiency, as compared with normal embryos. Among these, the induction by RAD of genes involved in collagen I synthesis (COL1A1, IA2 and VA2, prolyl-4-hydroxylase-,1) and protein galactosylation (galactokinase, ABO galactosyltransferase, UDP-galactose transporter-related protein) was especially noteworthy because extracellular matrix regulates many developmental events. We also identified several genes involved with stress responses (cathepsin H, UBC2E, IGFBP3, smoothelin). Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of selected candidates revealed excellent agreement with the array findings. Further validation came from the demonstration that these genes were similarly dysregulated in two genetic models of retinoid insufficiency, the retinol binding protein null-mutant embryo and the Raldh2 null-mutant embryo. In situ hybridization of RAD embryos found increased collagen IA1 and IGFBP3 mRNA within the connective mesenchyme and vasculature, respectively, and a failure to repress the growth factor midkine within the RAD neural tube. Many of the identified genes were not known previously to respond to retinoid status and will provide new insights to retinoid roles and to the consequences of retinoid insufficiency. Developmental Dynamics 229:886,898, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Adhesion molecules in endometrial epithelium: tissue integrity and embryo implantationJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 1 2009Harmeet Singh Abstract Cell adhesion in endometrial epithelium is regulated to maintain the continuity and protectiveness of the luminal covering cell layer while permitting interstitial implantation of the embryo during a restricted period of about 4 days. Many apparently normal embryos fail to implant, and epithelial-embryo adhesion remains a poorly understood phenomenon. After menstruation, epithelial regeneration occurs by epiboly from the basal residues of glands, an activity that requires migration on extracellular matrix as well as cell,cell cohesion. Here we review current knowledge of adhesion molecules in the epithelium. [source] Changes in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol monophosphate kinase activities during the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabicaPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2003María Julissa Ek-Ramos Evidence was obtained for the presence of phosphatidylinositol (PIK) and phosphatidylinositol monophosphate kinase (PIPK) at different developmental stages during somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabica L. by in vitro phosphorylation of endogenous lipids in the presence of [,- 32P]ATP followed by thin-layer chromatography. The results indicate the existence of a relationship between the development stages that were analysed and the kinases found. In cells without differentiated structures (EC, embryogenic calli) phosphatidylinositol kinase and phosphatidylinositol monophosphate 5-kinase (EC 2.7.1.68) activities were present. These activities increased significantly in the first differentiated stage (PREG, preglobular structures) and decreased as the development stages advanced. Phosphatidylinositol monophosphate (PIP) formation decreased from the globular (GLO) to the cotyledonary (COT) stage. The PIP fraction contained both isomers, PI 3-P and PI 4-P. This demonstrates PI3K (EC 2.7.1.137) and PI4K (EC 2.7.1.67) activity during somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabica L. When wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K and PI4K activities, was included in an in vitro assay, a dose-dependent inhibition of the formation of both isomers was observed. The addition of wortmannin to the induction medium during the PREG stage reduced the number of normal embryos. Our results suggest that PI and PIP kinases and the formation of certain phosphoinositides may play roles in the regulation of somatic embryo development in Coffea arabica L. [source] Assessing in vivo Fertilizing Capacity of Liquid-Preserved Boar Semen According to the ,Hanover Gilt Model'REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2003F Ardón Contents The goal of this study was to determine the ability of the Hanover gilt model to assess in vivo fertilizing capacity of preserved sperm and to consider whether any modifications to this model were needed. This model evaluates the fertilizing capacity of semen based on the fertilization rate, the rate of normal embryos and the accessory sperm count of 3,5-day embryos. Its distinguishing characteristics are the use of one-time insemination of sperm in reduced numbers, of spontaneously ovulating gilts and of ovulation detection through ultrasound examination of ovaries. Reduced sperm numbers allow for an accurate evaluation of the fertilizing potential of different semen treatments, thereby avoiding the compensatory effect of doses calibrated to maximize fertility. The model's usefulness was assessed in a trial run designed to compare the fertilizing capacity of liquid boar semen diluted into two different extenders. The diluent, the boar and the backflow, had no significant effect on any of the parameters studied. Gilts inseminated less than 24 h before ovulation had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) fertilization rate and accessory sperm cell count (p < 0.05) than those inseminated more than 24 h before ovulation. Very good/good embryos from homogeneous litters (only very good/good embryos were present) had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) accessory sperm count than those from heterogeneous litters (at least one embryo was of a different quality and/or oocytes were present). Both very good/good and degenerated/retarded embryos from heterogeneous litters had low accessory sperm numbers. This suggests that accessory sperm count is significantly related to the quality of the litter, but not to the quality of the embryo within gilts. It can be concluded that the Hanover gilt model is sensitive enough to show fertility differences (in this study, those associated with in vivo ageing of semen), while using relatively few gilts and little time. [source] | ||||||||||