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Comparative expression of mouse and chicken Shisa homologues during early development
Mário Filipe1, Lisa Gonçalves, Margaret Bento
1Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.
Abstract:
During vertebrate embryogenesis, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling have been implicated in diverse cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and tissue patterning. The recently identified Xenopus Shisa protein promotes head formation by inhibiting Wnt and FGF signaling through its interaction with the immature forms of Frizzled and FGF receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum, which prevents their posttranslational maturation. Here, we describe the mouse and chicken homologues of Xenopus Shisa. The mouse and chicken Shisa proteins share, respectively, 33.6% and 33.8% identity with the Xenopus homolog. In situ hybridization analysis shows that mouse shisa is expressed throughout embryonic development, predominantly in the anterior visceral endoderm, headfolds, somites, forebrain, optic vesicle, and limb buds. Cross-species comparison shows that the expression pattern of cshisa closely mirrors that of mshisa. Our observations indicate that the Shisa family genes are typically expressed in tissues known to require the modulation of Wnt and FGF signaling.
Insights
Mouse and chicken Shisa proteins were identified, showing conserved roles in embryonic development. These Shisa genes regulate fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling pathways crucial for tissue patterning.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling pathways are critical during vertebrate embryogenesis for cell growth, differentiation, and tissue patterning.
- Xenopus Shisa protein inhibits Wnt and FGF signaling by interacting with immature receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing their maturation and promoting head formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the mouse and chicken homologues of Xenopus Shisa.
- To investigate the expression patterns and potential roles of Shisa genes in mammalian and avian embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis to identify homologous proteins.
- In situ hybridization to determine gene expression patterns in mouse embryos.
- Cross-species comparison of gene expression.
Main Results:
- Mouse and chicken Shisa proteins were identified, sharing significant sequence identity with Xenopus Shisa.
- Mouse shisa exhibits widespread embryonic expression, particularly in anterior visceral endoderm, headfolds, somites, forebrain, optic vesicle, and limb buds.
- Chicken shisa expression patterns closely mirror those of mouse shisa, suggesting conserved function.
Conclusions:
- Shisa family genes are conserved across vertebrates and are typically expressed in tissues where modulation of Wnt and FGF signaling is essential.
- The findings support a conserved role for Shisa proteins in regulating key developmental signaling pathways.
