PMID: 9184345Apr 1, 1997Paper

Gene expression domains as markers in developmental toxicity studies using mammalian embryo culture

The International Journal of Developmental Biology
J A WilliamsN A Brown

Abstract

We are examining the hypothesis that expression domains of developmental control genes may be informative markers in mammalian embryo culture studies of developmental toxicity. Expression domains might be altered directly by chemical exposure, or might reflect developmental abnormality prior to any overt morphological defect. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using digoxygenin-labeled RNA probes was used to monitor the regions of expression of Hoxb-4, Pax-3 and Emx-2. These genes were selected because of their different restrictions within the developing CNS; Hoxb-4 for its anterior margin in the hindbrain, Pax-3 for its dorso-ventral pattern in the spinal cord, and Emx-2 for being restricted to a portion of the forebrain. Valproic acid was used as a prototype developmental toxicant because of its known actions on neural tube closure and on segmentation. For patterns of expression, we made three comparisons, between: rat in vivo developed embryos and published descriptions for mouse; rat cultured and in vivo; control and valproate exposed. For these genes, there were no differences between domains of expression in rat and mouse, nor between rat cultured and in vivo embryos. In valproate-exposed embryos, some domains were spatia...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.