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Systematic screening for signaling molecules expressed during somitogenesis by the signal sequence trap method
Akane Tonegawa1, Toshiharu Kasai, Yoshiko Takahashi
1Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0101, Japan.
Developmental Biology
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Researchers screened for extracellular signaling molecules crucial for vertebrate somitogenesis, the process forming segmented axial structures. This study identified novel signaling candidates involved in cell and tissue interactions during development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Somitogenesis is essential for vertebrate development, forming segmented axial bones and muscles.
- This process relies on complex cell and tissue interactions regulated by extracellular signals.
- Identifying these signaling molecules is key to understanding developmental mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically screen for novel extracellular signaling molecules involved in vertebrate somitogenesis.
- To identify genes encoding secreted or transmembrane proteins expressed in the presomitic mesoderm and somites.
Main Methods:
- Employed subtractive hybridization to enrich for paraxial mesoderm/somite-specific cDNAs.
- Utilized the signal sequence trap method to select for molecules with signal sequences.
- Validated expression patterns using whole-mount and section in situ hybridization.
Main Results:
- Identified 92 independent cDNAs encoding putative secreted or transmembrane proteins.
- 16 of these clones showed specific expression patterns in the presomitic mesoderm/somites and neural tube.
- The identified clones include previously known and novel sequences with potential developmental roles.
Conclusions:
- This study presents a comprehensive strategy for identifying signaling molecules in somitogenesis.
- The identified candidate molecules offer new insights into the regulation of vertebrate embryonic development.
- This work provides a valuable resource for future research on developmental signaling pathways.