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Spatial patterns of gene expression in preimplantation mouse embryos
P E Nisson1, S Francis, W R Crain
1Cell Biology Group, Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545.
Molecular Reproduction and Development
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Early mouse embryos show localized gene expression. Specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are distributed differently in inner cell mass and trophectoderm, correlating with cell fate during development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gene expression patterns are crucial for cellular differentiation.
- Understanding early embryonic development requires characterizing gene activity.
- Specific messenger RNA (mRNA) localization can dictate cell fate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution of polyadenylated RNA and specific mRNAs in preimplantation mouse embryos.
- To correlate mRNA expression patterns with the formation of distinct cell lineages like the inner cell mass and trophectoderm.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization of riboprobes to RNA in sections of preimplantation mouse embryos.
- Analysis of total polyadenylated RNA and mRNAs for beta-actin, fibronectin, and cytokeratin Endo A genes.
Main Results:
- Polyadenylated RNA was detected in the cytoplasm of all blastocyst cells.
- Beta-actin mRNA showed uniform expression, fibronectin mRNA was enriched in the inner cell mass, and Endo A mRNA was enriched in the trophectoderm.
- In eight-cell embryos, polyadenylated RNA concentrated in nuclei, unlike in blastocysts or for the specific mRNAs studied.
Conclusions:
- Localized gene expression occurs in early mouse embryos.
- Distinct mRNA distribution patterns correlate with the differentiation of the inner cell mass and trophectoderm.
- Spatial regulation of gene expression is a key feature of early embryonic development.