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Expression of the hepatocyte growth factor gene during chick limb development
Author(s) -
Myokai Fumio,
Washio Norifumi,
Asahara Yoji,
Yamaai Tomoichiro,
Tanda Nobuya,
Ishikawa Tetsuya,
Aoki Shunsuke,
Kurihara Hidemi,
Murayama Yoji,
Saito Taiichi,
Matsumoto Kunio,
Nakamura Toshikazu,
Noji Sumihare,
Nohno Tsutomu
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/aja.1002020108
Subject(s) - apical ectodermal ridge , limb development , limb bud , ectoderm , biology , zone of polarizing activity , hepatocyte growth factor , mesoderm , mesenchyme , lateral plate mesoderm , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , endoderm , c met , mesenchymal stem cell , in situ hybridization , cellular differentiation , embryogenesis , gene expression , gene , embryonic stem cell , embryo , genetics , receptor
It has been shown that mirrorimage duplications of the zeugopodia and digits are formed when MRC‐5 fibroblasts producing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are applied to the anterior region of the chick limb bud (Yonei et al. [1993] Dev. Biol. 160:246–253). To evaluate the role of HGF in limb development, we observed the expression pattern of the HGF gene using in situ hybridization. The HGF gene was expressed in the mesoderm of the limb bud and in the central core region of mandibular arch and maxillary processes at stages 17 to 24. When both wing and leg buds begin to extend distally, the HGF gene is expressed in the mesenchymal cells, but not in the ectodermal cells and somites. Concomitant with establishment of the apical ectodermal ridge, distal mesenchymal cells of the limb bud express the HGF gene intensely with a gradient higher in the distal region. The HGF expression is later confined to the ventral and subapical mesenchyme of the limb bud, although no signal is detectable in the apical and non‐ridge ectoderm. However, signal for the c ‐ met proto‐oncogene encoding the HGF receptor is not detectable in the limb bud at stages 17 to 24. These results suggest that HGF produced in the limb mesoderm may be involved in initial induction and maintenance of the apical ectoderm during limb development. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.