Expression of macro non-coding RNAs Meg8 and Irm in mouse embryonic development

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play critical roles in development.
• Meg8 and Irm are alternatively spliced isoforms of the imprinted Rian gene.
• Understanding their spatiotemporal expression is key to their physiological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental regulation and expression patterns of imprinted macro ncRNAs Meg8 and Irm in mouse embryos.
• To elucidate the distinct and potentially coordinated roles of Meg8 and Irm during organogenesis.

Main Methods:

• In situ hybridization was used to visualize Meg8 and Irm expression in embryonic tissues.
• Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) was employed for expression level analysis.
• Expression was analyzed at various embryonic time points (E10.5, E11.5, E12.5, E15.5, E18.5).

Main Results:

• Meg8 and Irm exhibited distinct spatiotemporal expression profiles in developing mouse embryos.
• Both ncRNAs were detected in the embryonic brain, with Irm also found in somites.
• By E15.5, expression was observed in brain, tongue, liver, lung, and neuroendocrine tissues, with Irm showing restricted expression in tongue and skeletal muscle.
• Quantitative analysis confirmed high expression in tongue and brain at multiple developmental stages.
• Irm showed a stronger association with skeletal muscle development compared to Meg8.

Conclusions:

• Meg8 and Irm exhibit dynamic and distinct expression patterns during mouse embryonic development.
• Their expression suggests potentially coordinated functions across various organs.
• Irm appears to have a specific role in skeletal muscle morphogenesis.