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Restricted expression of Fgf16 within the developing chick inner ear
Susan C Chapman1, Qin Cai, Steven B Bleyl
1University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and Children's Health Research Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. susan.chapman@utah.edu
Insights
Fibroblast growth factor 16 (Fgf16) is crucial for inner ear development. Its expression pattern in chick embryos suggests a role in sensory patch formation alongside bone morphogenetic protein signaling.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is vital for the induction and patterning of the developing inner ear.
- Understanding the specific roles of FGF family members, like Fgf16, is essential for elucidating inner ear development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone the chick ortholog of Fgf16.
- To analyze the expression pattern of Fgf16 in early chick embryos.
- To investigate the potential role of Fgf16 in inner ear patterning.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of the chick Fgf16 gene.
- Whole-mount in situ hybridization to determine Fgf16 expression patterns.
- Comparison of Fgf16 expression with known developmental markers like Bmp4 and PDGFA.
Main Results:
- Chick Fgf16 was successfully cloned.
- Fgf16 expression was observed in the otic placode and developing inner ear throughout development.
- By the closed otocyst stage, Fgf16 expression localized to anterior and posterior domains, overlapping with Bmp4 and PDGFA expression.
Conclusions:
- The restricted expression pattern of Fgf16 indicates its involvement in the patterning of the developing inner ear.
- FGF signaling, in conjunction with BMP signaling, likely plays a significant role in the formation of sensory cristae.
Abstract:
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is required for otic placode induction and patterning of the developing inner ear. We have cloned the chick ortholog of Fgf16 and analyzed its expression pattern in the early chick embryo. Expression is restricted to the otic placode and developing inner ear through all the stages examined. By the closed otocyst stage, expression has resolved to anterior and posterior domains that partially overlap with those of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4), a marker of the developing sensory patches, the cristae of the anterior and posterior semicircular canals. Platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFA), another growth factor with restricted otic expression, also overlaps with Fgf16 expression. The restricted expression pattern of Fgf16 suggests a role for FGF signaling in the patterning of the sensory cristae, together with BMP signaling.
