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Fgf-4 expression during gastrulation, myogenesis, limb and tooth development in the mouse
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Fibroblast Growth Factor-4 (Fgf-4) is crucial for embryonic development, with its RNA detected from the blastocyst stage through organogenesis. Fgf-4 plays key roles in mesoderm formation and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fibroblast Growth Factor-4 (Fgf-4), identified as a transforming gene, belongs to the FGF family.
- Previous studies indicated Fgf-4 expression in teratocarcinoma and embryonic stem cells, suggesting a role in embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial and temporal expression pattern of Fgf-4 during mouse embryonic development using RNA in situ hybridization.
- To elucidate the specific roles of Fgf-4 in various developmental processes and compare its expression with other FGF genes.
Main Methods:
- RNA in situ hybridization was employed to analyze Fgf-4 expression in developing mouse embryos from fertilization to embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5).
Main Results:
- Fgf-4 RNA was first detected in inner cell mass cells at the late blastocyst stage.
- Expression localized to the primitive streak during gastrulation, then to the tail bud, and subsequently to specific developing organs like branchial arches, somites, limb buds, and tooth buds.
- Fgf-4 expression was observed transiently in various embryonic tissues during organogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Fgf-4 is dynamically expressed throughout mouse embryogenesis, highlighting its multifaceted roles in development.
- The findings suggest sequential expression of FGF family members in developmental pathways, including mesoderm formation and myogenesis.
- Fgf-4 is implicated in crucial epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during embryonic development.