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PMID: 9831640 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Gene expression screening in Xenopus identifies molecular pathways, predicts gene function and provides a global view of embryonic patterning.

Mechanisms of development ·Vol. 77 ·No. 2 ·1998-10-00 ·Pages 95-141

Gawantka V, Pollet N, Delius H, Vingron M, Pfister R, Nitsch R, Blumenstock C, Niehrs C

Abstract

In a large-scale gene expression screen 1765 randomly picked cDNAs were analyzed by whole-mount in situ hybridization in Xenopus embryos. Two hundred and seventy three unique, differentially expressed genes were identified, 204 of which are novel in Xenopus. Partial DNA sequences and expression patterns were documented and assembled into a database, 'AXelDB'. Approximately 30% of cDNAs analyzed represent differentially expressed genes and about 5% show highly regionalized expression. Novel marker genes and potential developmental regulators were found. Differential expression of mitochondrial genes was observed. Marker genes were used to study regionalization of the entire gastrula as well as the tail forming region and the epidermis of the tailbud embryo. Four 'synexpression' groups representing genes with shared, complex expression pattern that predict molecular pathways involved in patterning and differentiation were identified. According to their probable functional significance these groups are designated as Delta1, Bmp4, ER-import and Chromatin group. Within synexpression groups, a likely function of genes without sequence similarity can be predicted. The results indicate that synexpression groups have strong prognostic value. A cluster analysis was made by comparing gene expression patterns to derive a novel parameter, 'tissue relatedness'. In conclusion, this study describes a semi-functional approach to investigate genes expressed during early development and provides global insight into embryonic patterning.

MeSH Terms

Animals Body Patterning/genetics Databases, Factual Ectoderm Embryo, Nonmammalian Embryonic Induction/genetics Endoderm Epidermis/embryology Gastrula Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental Genetic Techniques In Situ Hybridization/methods Tail/embryology Xenopus/embryology,genetics

Authors & Affiliations

8 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Gawantka V

Division of Molecular Embryology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany.

Pollet N

Delius H

Vingron M

Pfister R

Nitsch R

Blumenstock C

Niehrs C

Article Info

Journal

Mechanisms of development

Abbr.

Mech Dev

ISSN

0925-4773

DOI

10.1016/s0925-4773(98)00115-4

Published

1998-10-00

Pages

95-141

Language

English

Region

Ireland

NLM ID

9101218

Subset

Databases

GENBANK

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External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/s0925-4773(98)00115-4 View journal details

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Gene expression screening in Xenopus identifies molecular pathways, predicts gene function and provides a global view of embryonic patterning.

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