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Zn 2+ ‐induction of metallothionein in myotomal cell nuclei during somitogenesis of Xenopus laevis
Author(s) -
Sunderman F. William,
GrbacIvankovic Svetlana,
Plowman Marilyn R.,
Davis Milton
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199604)43:4<444::aid-mrd6>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - metallothionein , biology , xenopus , embryo , somitogenesis , mesonephros , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , immunohistochemistry , staining , spinal cord , andrology , anatomy , embryonic stem cell , immunology , somite , biochemistry , genetics , gene , medicine , neuroscience
The localization of metallothionein in control and Zn‐exposed embryos of Xenopus laevis was studied by whole‐mount immunohistochemical staining. The embryos were grown according to the FETAX (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay: Xenopus ) protocol from N/F stage 8 to stage 47, with or without addition of ZnCl 2 (300 μM) to the medium. At stages 27, 38, 42, 45, and 47, control and Zn‐exposed embryos were fixed in buffered formalin, and whole mounts were stained by an immunoperoxidase technique, using monoclonal murine antibody to equine metallothionein. Staining of metallothionein was evident in myotomal cell nuclei of developing somites by stage 27, stomatodeum, oropharynx, and gills by stage 38, developing kidneys (mesonephros) by stage 45, and liver by stage 47. The staining of metallothionein at these sites was more intense in Zn‐exposed embryos than controls. The central nervous system (especially the spinal cord) and the yolk mass were faintly stained for metallothionein in controls and Zn‐exposed embryos. Staining of metallothionein in myotomal cell nuclei was most prominent at stage 38, diminished at stages 42 and 45, and practically disappeared by stage 47. This is the first report that metallothionein is expressed in myotomal cell nuclei of Xenopus embryos during normal somitogenesis and becomes increased when the embryos are exposed to teratogenic levels of Zn 2 . © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.