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Expression of cardiac neural crest and heart genes isolated by modified differential display
Brad J Martinsen1, Nathan J Groebner, Allison J Frasier
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract:
The invasion of the cardiac neural crest (CNC) into the outflow tract (OFT) and subsequent outflow tract septation are critical events during vertebrate heart development. We have performed four modified differential display screens in the chick embryo to identify genes that may be involved in CNC, OFT, secondary heart field, and heart development. The screens included differential display of RNA isolated from three different axial segments containing premigratory cranial neural crest cells; of RNA from distal outflow tract, proximal outflow tract, and atrioventricular tissue of embryonic chick hearts; and of RNA isolated from left and right cranial tissues, including the early heart fields. These screens have resulted in the identification of the five cDNA clones presented here, which are expressed in the cardiac neural crest, outflow tract and developing heart in patterns that are unique in heart development.
Insights
Researchers identified five novel genes crucial for cardiac neural crest (CNC) development and outflow tract (OFT) septation in chick embryos, advancing our understanding of heart formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cardiovascular research
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiac neural crest (CNC) cell migration into the outflow tract (OFT) is essential for heart development.
- Proper OFT septation is critical for forming a four-chambered heart in vertebrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes involved in cardiac neural crest (CNC) cell migration and outflow tract (OFT) septation.
- To characterize gene expression patterns during early heart development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized four modified differential display screens in chick embryos.
- Analyzed RNA from various embryonic tissues including cranial neural crest cells, OFT segments, and early heart fields.
Main Results:
- Identified five novel cDNA clones with unique expression patterns.
- These genes are expressed in the cardiac neural crest, OFT, and developing heart.
Conclusions:
- The identified genes play significant roles in cardiac neural crest (CNC) and outflow tract (OFT) development.
- These findings provide new insights into the genetic regulation of heart formation.