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Expression of Msx1 and Dlx1 during Dumbo rat head development: Correlation with morphological features
Suhair Katerji1, Nathalie Vanmuylder, Michal Svoboda
1Laboratory of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels Belgium.
Genetics and Molecular Biology
|June 4, 2011
Summary
The Dumbo rat
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Craniofacial Development
Background:
- The Dumbo rat exhibits craniofacial abnormalities, including shortened maxillary, zygomatic, and mandibular bones, and low-set ears, resembling human syndromes like Treacher-Collins.
- Homeobox genes are crucial for craniofacial development, making them potential candidates for explaining the Dumbo rat's phenotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Msx1 and Dlx1 genes in the Dumbo rat's abnormal craniofacial morphogenesis.
- To evaluate the Dumbo rat as a potential experimental model for studying craniofacial development disorders.
Main Methods:
- Studied gene expression of Msx1 and Dlx1 during craniofacial morphogenesis in Dumbo rat embryos (E12 and E14).
- Utilized the Wistar rat strain as a control group.
- Employed semi-quantitative RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) for gene expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Msx1 and Dlx1 gene expression patterns differed between Dumbo and Wistar rats.
- Lower expression levels of Msx1 and Dlx1 were observed in Dumbo rats compared to Wistar rats.
Conclusions:
- The differential expression, specifically lower expression, of Msx1 and Dlx1 genes may underlie the characteristic craniofacial phenotype of the Dumbo rat.
- The Dumbo rat serves as a valuable model for investigating the genetic basis of abnormal craniofacial development.
