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Published on: April 1, 2022
Expression of smoothened in mouse embryonic maxillofacial development
1Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy & Tooth Regeneration, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.
Summary
Smoothened (Smo) gene expression is crucial for mouse craniofacial development, with significant mRNA and protein detected early in embryonic facial development. Its expression decreases significantly after mid-gestation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is vital for embryonic development, particularly craniofacial development in vertebrates.
- The seven-transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) is a key transducer of the Hh signal.
- Limited data exists on Smo expression patterns during mouse embryonic craniofacial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Smo during murine embryonic craniofacial development.
- To provide a detailed understanding of Smo gene and protein localization during key developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization (ISH) on whole-mounts and sections.
- Immunohistochemistry.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).
- Western blot analysis.
Main Results:
- Smo mRNA expression was detected in the embryonic face at 11 and 12.5 days post coitum (dpc), decreasing significantly after 13.5 dpc and faintly detected postnatally.
- Smo protein expression was observed at 11, 12.5, and 14.5 dpc, becoming very faint after 15.5 dpc, mirroring mRNA expression trends.
- No Smo expression was found in whisker follicles during facial development, with faint signals in Meckel's cartilage.
Conclusions:
- Smo expression is dynamically regulated during mouse embryonic craniofacial development.
- These findings provide essential data for future studies on the sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway's role in maxillofacial development.
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