Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
11:13
RNA-Seq Analysis of Differential Gene Expression in Electroporated Chick Embryonic Spinal Cord
Published on: November 1, 2014
Identification, characterization, and expression pattern of the chicken EKLF gene
Andrew P Chervenak1, Priyadarshi Basu, Masahiro Shin
1Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0033, USA.
Summary
Chicken EKLF (cEKLF) is identified, showing high sequence similarity to mammalian EKLF. Its expression pattern during embryonic development suggests a conserved role in erythropoiesis, the process of red blood cell formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Hematopoiesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Krüppel-like factor 1 (EKLF/KLF1) is crucial for mammalian erythropoiesis.
- Understanding EKLF function in non-mammalian vertebrates provides evolutionary insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the chicken ortholog of EKLF (cEKLF).
- To investigate the expression pattern of cEKLF during chicken embryonic development.
- To infer the functional conservation of EKLF across species.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of predicted amino acid sequences.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA expression analysis.
- Comparison of cEKLF sequence and expression with known orthologs.
Main Results:
- cEKLF exhibits high sequence similarity (≥87.7%) in its zinc finger region to mammalian EKLF and even higher similarity to Xenopus (98.8%) and zebrafish (95%) orthologs.
- cEKLF mRNA is detected in the posterior primitive streak, blood islands, and circulating blood cells during early embryogenesis.
- Expression of cEKLF mRNA is significantly higher in definitive erythropoiesis compared to primitive erythropoiesis and is absent in the brain later in development.
Conclusions:
- The high sequence conservation and specific expression pattern of cEKLF strongly suggest a conserved role in erythropoiesis, similar to its mammalian counterparts.
- cEKLF is a key regulator in the development of red blood cells in chickens.
- This study highlights the evolutionary importance of EKLF in vertebrate blood development.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...