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Smoothelin expression during chicken embryogenesis: Detection of an embryonic isoform
Author(s) -
Deruiter Marco C.,
Rensen Sanders S.M.,
Coolen Gisela P.G.M.,
Hierck Beerend P.,
Bergwerff Maarten,
Debie Wiel M.H.,
GittenbergerDe Groot Adriana C.,
Van Eys Guillaume J.J.M.
Publication year - 2001
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/dvdy.1156
Subject(s) - gene isoform , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , embryonic stem cell , embryo , biochemistry , gene
Two isoforms of a novel smooth muscle cell (SMC) ‐specific cytoskeletal protein, smoothelin, have been described. In the adult chick, the 55‐kDa smoothelin‐A is expressed in visceral SMC, whereas the 120‐kDa smoothelin‐B is the major product in vascular SMC. Chicken was chosen to study smoothelin expression during embryogenesis and neonatally. Smoothelin‐B was found in vascular SMC from stage 20 onward. In visceral SMC, smoothelin‐B was present from stage 29 until hatching. Perinatally, a strong up‐regulation of smoothelin synthesis was observed in visceral tissues, coinciding with a switch to the A‐isoform. Transient smoothelin synthesis was observed in the somites and the developing heart. Western blotting revealed in these tissues a 62‐kDa smoothelin isoform, designated smoothelin‐C. Expression of the smoothelin isoforms seems to be strictly controlled with respect to cell type and developmental stage and may be related to the mode of contraction of the different cells. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.