Related Experiment Videos
Transient and locally restricted expression of the ros1 protooncogene during mouse development
E Sonnenberg1, A Gödecke, B Walter
1Max-Delbrück-Laboratorium, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Köln, Germany.
Abstract:
The ros1 gene was detected originally by virtue of its transforming potential; the cDNA of the human protooncogene was isolated from a tumor cell line expressing the gene ectopically. It encodes a receptor-type tyrosine specific protein kinase which is closely related to sevenless in Drosophila. Here we report the novel and remarkable in vivo expression pattern of c-ros1, which was determined in the mouse. By a combination of RNase protection and in situ hybridization, we find transient c-ros1 expression during development in the kidney, intestine and lung, coinciding with major morphogenetic and differentiation events in these organs. This temporally restricted nature of expression is unusual for tyrosine kinase receptors and suggests a role for ros1 during development. Furthermore, in kidney development c-ros1 transcripts are confined to subgroups of ureter cells known to be involved directly in inductive interactions between ureter epithelium and metanephric mesenchyme. Thus, this study implicates for the first time a tyrosine kinase receptor in mesenchymal epithelial interactions and suggests a molecular basis for these important inductive events in development.
Insights
The ros1 gene, a tyrosine kinase receptor, shows transient expression during mouse development in organs like the kidney and intestine. This suggests its crucial role in developmental processes and cell interactions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The ros1 gene encodes a receptor-type tyrosine kinase, related to Drosophila's sevenless.
- Its transforming potential led to initial detection, with human protooncogene cDNA isolated from a tumor cell line.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo expression pattern of the c-ros1 gene during mouse development.
- To elucidate the potential role of ros1 in developmental processes and cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- RNase protection assays were used to determine c-ros1 expression.
- In situ hybridization was employed to visualize c-ros1 transcript localization in mouse tissues.
Main Results:
- Transient c-ros1 expression was observed during development in the kidney, intestine, and lung.
- Expression coincided with significant morphogenetic and differentiation events in these organs.
- In kidney development, c-ros1 transcripts were specifically found in ureter cells involved in inductive interactions with metanephric mesenchyme.
Conclusions:
- The temporally restricted expression of c-ros1 suggests a novel role for this tyrosine kinase receptor during development.
- This study implicates c-ros1 in mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, providing a molecular basis for developmental inductive events.