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Expression of synaptic vesicle two‐related protein SVOP in the developing nervous system of Xenopus laevis
Author(s) -
Logan Mary A.,
Steele Michael R.,
Vetter Monica L.
Publication year - 2005
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.20618
Subject(s) - xenopus , biology , nervous system , neurula , synaptic vesicle , microbiology and biotechnology , neurotransmitter , neuroscience , synaptic vesicle recycling , neural development , central nervous system , embryogenesis , gene , embryo , vesicle , genetics , gastrulation , membrane
Synaptic vesicle‐associated proteins are important regulators of neurotransmitter release at synaptic terminals in mature animals. Some synaptic vesicle‐associated proteins are also expressed during development, although their contribution to development is not as clear. Here, we describe the cloning and developmental expression pattern of the Xenopus laevis synaptic vesicle‐associated protein SVOP , a gene first identified as an immediate target for proneural basic helix–loop–helix factors. Alignment analysis revealed a high level of identity between the SVOP protein sequences from Xenopus and other vertebrates. In developing Xenopus embryos, SVOP expression is restricted to the nervous system and is first detectable at the mid‐neurula stage. As development progresses SVOP becomes broadly expressed throughout the central nervous system. Our observation that SVOP is expressed in the developing Xenopus nervous system suggests that it may be involved in neuron formation, maturation, or neuronal function. Developmental Dynamics 234:802–807, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.