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In ovo Expression of MicroRNA in Ventral Chick Midbrain
Published on: September 16, 2013
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Gene expression in chick morula
Nikolas Zagris1, Demetrios Matthopoulos2
1Division of Genetics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Summary
Chick embryo morula stage protein synthesis relies on maternal mRNA. Heat shock induces α-amanitin-sensitive polypeptides, marking the first major embryonic gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Molecular biology
- Gene expression
Background:
- Early embryonic development relies on maternal factors.
- Understanding the transition from maternal to embryonic gene expression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source of protein synthesis in chick morula embryos.
- To identify the onset of embryonic genome activation.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of chick morula embryos with α-amanitin to assess transcriptional inhibition.
- Induction of heat shock at 43°C to observe heat shock protein synthesis.
- Analysis of synthesized polypeptides for sensitivity to α-amanitin.
Main Results:
- Polypeptide synthesis in chick morula embryos is insensitive to α-amanitin, indicating reliance on maternal mRNA.
- Heat shock induces the expression of α-amanitin-sensitive heat shock polypeptides.
- These heat-induced polypeptides are isoforms of normally synthesized proteins.
Conclusions:
- Protein synthesis in early chick embryos is primarily directed by maternal mRNA.
- Heat shock triggers the initial, significant activation of the embryonic genome in chick embryos.
- The study identifies heat shock response as a marker for embryonic gene expression onset.
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