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Cyclic Nrarp mRNA expression is regulated by the somitic oscillator but Nrarp protein levels do not oscillate
Author(s) -
Wright David,
Ferjentsik Zoltan,
Chong ShangWei,
Qiu Xuehui,
Jiang YunJin,
Malapert Pascale,
Pourquié Olivier,
Van Hateren Nick,
Wilson Stuart A.,
Franco Claudio,
Gerhardt Holger,
Dale J. Kim,
Maroto Miguel
Publication year - 2009
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.22139
Subject(s) - biology , zebrafish , microbiology and biotechnology , xenopus , paraxial mesoderm , wnt signaling pathway , notch signaling pathway , messenger rna , embryo , mesoderm , somite , transcription factor , gastrulation , anatomy , gene , embryogenesis , genetics , embryonic stem cell , signal transduction
Somites are formed progressively from the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) in a highly regulated process according to a strict periodicity driven by an oscillatory mechanism. The Notch and Wnt pathways are key components in the regulation of this somitic oscillator and data from Xenopus and zebrafish embryos indicate that the Notch‐downstream target Nrarp participates in the regulation of both activities. We have analyzed Nrarp/nrarp‐a expression in the PSM of chick, mouse and zebrafish embryos, and we show that it cycles in synchrony with other Notch regulated cyclic genes. In the mouse its transcription is both Wnt‐ and Notch‐dependent, whereas in the chick and fish embryo it is simply Notch‐dependent. Despite oscillating mRNA levels, Nrarp protein does not oscillate in the PSM. Finally, neither gain nor loss of Nrarp function interferes with the normal expression of Notch‐related cyclic genes. Developmental Dynamics 238:3043–3055, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.