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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Stem cell-like Xenopus Embryonic Explants to Study Early Neural Developmental Features In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 2, 2016
Expression patterns of Src-family tyrosine kinases during Xenopus laevis development
Zoltan Ferjentsik1, Radek Sindelka, Jiri Jonak
1Laboratory of Gene Expression and Laboratory of Bacteriology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) play important roles in cell morphology, differentiation, motility and proliferation. Elevated expression and/or specific activity of Src kinases are characteristic for several types of human cancer. However, little information is available about the role and spatio-temporal expression of SFKs in early embryonic development. In this study we characterized, in Xenopus laevis, the expression patterns of five SFK genes src, fyn, yes, lyn and laloo as well as of the csk gene, a negative regulator of SFKs, using RT-qPCR and in situ hybridisation. We found that transcripts of all SFKs and csk were already detectable in one-cell embryos and their levels similarly oscillated during subsequent development. First, after stage 8, the levels of SFK and csk mRNAs began to decrease, reached a minimum between stages 10 and 28 and increased again. In the later stages (33-45), the levels of fyn, yes and csk mRNAs returned to approximately maternal ones, whereas the src, laloo and lyn mRNA transcripts exceeded, up to about 3.5-6-fold, their maternal levels. In situ hybridisation analysis located the SFK and csk transcripts in the animal hemisphere of Xenopus embryos. Subsequent gastrula stages showed signals in ectodermal cells, mid-neurula stage embryos at neural folds, and the tailbud stages showed strong signals in the brain and neural tube. RT-qPCR concentration profiling along the animal-vegetal axis proved in blastula and gastrula the preferential localisation of yes, src, lyn and csk transcripts towards the animal pole in a gradient-like manner. In contrast, laloo and fyn displayed a vegetal pole preference.
Insights
This study reveals the dynamic expression of Src family kinases (SFKs) and csk during early Xenopus development, highlighting their spatio-temporal localization and differential transcript distribution critical for embryonic processes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) are crucial for cell functions like morphology and proliferation.
- Aberrant SFK activity is linked to human cancers.
- Limited data exists on SFK roles in early embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the spatio-temporal expression patterns of five SFK genes (src, fyn, yes, lyn, laloo) and the csk gene in Xenopus laevis embryos.
- To investigate the dynamic changes in SFK and csk mRNA levels throughout early development.
- To determine the precise localization of these transcripts within the developing embryo.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to profile mRNA expression levels.
- Whole-mount in situ hybridization was employed to visualize transcript localization.
- RT-qPCR concentration profiling along the animal-vegetal axis was performed.
Main Results:
- SFK and csk transcripts were detected early and exhibited oscillating levels during development.
- Specific SFK transcripts (src, laloo, lyn) showed significant upregulation in later stages (33-45).
- In situ hybridization revealed localization in ectodermal cells, neural folds, brain, and neural tube, with distinct animal or vegetal pole preferences for different SFKs.
Conclusions:
- SFKs and csk display dynamic and spatially regulated expression during Xenopus embryogenesis.
- Differential transcript localization along the animal-vegetal axis suggests specific roles in patterning.
- These findings provide foundational insights into SFK involvement in early vertebrate development.
