Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
10:56
Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Development using Immunofluorescence in Embryonic Mouse Heart
Published on: March 26, 2015
The ciliary protein Ftm is required for ventricular wall and septal development
Christoph Gerhardt1, Johanna M Lier, Stefanie Kuschel
1Institute for Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Plos One
|March 8, 2013
Summary
Primary cilia are crucial for heart development. Loss of the ciliary protein Fantom in mice causes shortened cilia, reduced cell proliferation, and ventricular septal defects (VSDs), suggesting ciliopathy as a cause of VSDs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are common congenital heart defects.
- The molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways governing ventricular septum (VS) development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of primary cilia and the Fantom (Ftm) protein in murine heart development.
- To explore the potential link between ciliopathy and VSDs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Fantom (Ftm)-negative mice exhibiting VSDs.
- Detection and functional assessment of primary cilia in murine embryonic hearts (E10.5-12.5).
- Evaluation of cell proliferation and wall thickness in ciliary regions.
Main Results:
- Ftm loss resulted in shortened primary cilia and reduced proliferation in specific atrial and ventricular regions.
- Diminished wall thickness was observed in these areas.
- Cilia-mediated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (Pdgfrα) signaling are implicated in regulating ventricular proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Primary cilia play a critical role in regulating cardiac proliferation essential for proper atrial and ventricular wall development.
- The study suggests that ciliopathy, a dysfunction of cilia, may be a cause of VSDs.
Related Concept Videos
01:02Role of Septins
Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
01:19Septins
Septins are protein filaments forming the cytoskeleton along with the microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and other accessory proteins. In 1971 while studying the cell division cycle in mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Harwell et al. first identified the septin-related genes playing a crucial role in yeast cytokinesis. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that these proteins localize at the budding neck as rings. These ring-like proteins were then named Septins by John Pringle, and...
01:22Microtubules in Signaling
The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
01:23Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
01:27Development of the Heart
The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
01:28Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments
Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...