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Fibroblast growth factor during mesoderm induction in the early chick embryo
E Mitrani1, Y Gruenbaum, H Shohat
1Department of Zoology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) plays a crucial role in early chick development. FGF-like substances are essential for forming axial structures and non-axial mesoderm during embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a key signaling molecule in embryonic development.
- Homologous bFGF genes are found across species, suggesting conserved functions.
- Understanding bFGF's role in early embryogenesis is critical for developmental biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a chick genomic clone for bFGF.
- To investigate the expression patterns of bFGF during early chick embryogenesis.
- To determine the role of FGF signaling in mesoderm and axial structure formation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a chick genomic clone homologous to mammalian and Xenopus bFGF.
- RNA blot analysis to detect bFGF transcription.
- Immunolabeling to visualize bFGF protein distribution.
- In vitro culture of chick blastoderms with FGF inhibitors (heparin, suramin).
Main Results:
- Chick bFGF is transcribed at pregastrula stages.
- bFGF protein is present and evenly distributed in the early chick blastula.
- FGF inhibition dose-dependently blocked mesodermal structure formation.
- FGF signaling appears necessary for both non-axial mesoderm induction and axial structure development.
Conclusions:
- FGF signaling is essential for early chick embryonic development, including mesoderm formation.
- bFGF plays a critical role in the induction of non-axial mesoderm.
- FGF-like substances are likely required for the development of axial structures in chick embryos.
Abstract:
A chick genomic clone that reveals a high degree of homology to the mammalian and Xenopus bFGF gene has been isolated. The pattern of expression of bFGF has been examined during early chick embryogenesis. RNA blot analysis revealed that chick bFGF is already transcribed at pregastrula stages. Immunolabeling analysis indicated that bFGF protein is present at these early developmental stages and is distributed evenly in the epiblast, hypoblast and marginal zone of the chick blastula. Substances that can inhibit FGF action were applied to early chick blastoderms grown in vitro under defined culture conditions (DCM). Both heparin and suramin were capable of blocking the formation of mesodermal structures in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate that FGF-like substances may need to be present for axial structures to develop although they may be acting earlier during the induction of non-axial mesoderm.