bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T-cadherin expression alternates with migrating neural crest cells in the trunk of the avian embryo
Authors: Ranscht Barbara , Bronner-Fraser Marianne 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Trunk neural crest cells and motor axons move in a segmental fashion through the rostral (anterior) half of each somitic sclerotome, avoiding the caudal (posterior) half. This metameric migration pattern is thought to be caused by molecular differences between the rostral and caudal portions of the somite. Here, we describe the distribution of T-cadherin (truncated-cadherin) during trunk neural crest cell migration. T-cadherin, a novel member of the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules was selectively expressed in the caudal half of each sclerotome at all times examined. T-cadherin immunostaining appeared graded along the rostrocau-dal axis, with increasing levels of reactivity in the caudal halves of progressively more mature (rostral) somites. The earliest T-cadherin expression was detected in a small population of cells in the caudal portion of the somite three segments rostral to last-formed somite. This initial T-cadherin expression was observed concomitant with the invasion of the first neural crest cells into the rostral portion of the same somite in stage 16 embryos. When neural crest cells were ablated surgically prior to their emigration from the neural tube, the pattern of T-cadherin immunoreactivity was unchanged compared to unoperated embryos, suggesting that the metameric T-cadherin distribution occurs independent of neural crest cell signals. This expression pattern is consistent with the possibility that T-cadherin plays a role in influencing the pattern of neural crest cell migration and in maintaining somite polarity.
Nuclear–cytoplasmic interactions during ovine oocyte maturation
Authors: Sun F. Z. , Moor R. M. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The present studies have been undertaken to investigate the interactions that occur between the nucleus and cytoplasm of ovine oocytes at various stages during meiotic maturation. We report that the nucleus of ovine fully grown dictyate stage oocytes can be efficiently removed by a microsurgical enucleation procedure. It is demonstrated that between the initiation of maturation and germinal vesicle breakdown certain newly syn-thesized polypeptides are selectively sequestered in the oocyte nucleus and the major sequestered polypeptide has a relative molecular mass of 28 000, which represent at least 9 % of the total labelled polypeptides transferred to the oocyte nucleus during the first 4h of maturation. The experiments provide evidence that the removal of the oocyte nucleus at various times before germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) does not prevent the major series of changes in protein synthesis that occurs after entry into a metaphase. We conclude therefore that the mixing of the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm is not essential for the initiation or progression of the protein repro-gramming process during maturation. In addition, the experiments show that the development of the ability to condense chromatin during ovine oocyte maturation is independent of the oocyte nucleus. The combined results strongly support the hypothesis that the extensive series of translational changes that occur in oocytes during maturation are controlled by cytoplasmic rather than nuclear factors.
Interactions of the Drosophila gap gene giant with maternal and zygotic pattern-forming genes
Authors: Eldon Elizabeth D. , Pirrotta Vincenzo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The Drosophila gene giant (gt) is a segmentation gene that affects anterior head structures and abdominal segments A5–A7. Immunolocalization of the gt product shows that it is a nuclear protein whose expression is initially activated in an anterior and a posterior domain. Activation of the anterior domain is dependent on the maternal bicoid gradient while activation of the posterior domain requires maternal nanos gene product. Initial expression is not abolished by mutations in any of the zygotic gap genes. By cellular blastoderm, the initial pattern of expression has evolved into one posterior and three anterior stripes of expression. The evolution, position and width of these stripes are dependent on interactions between gt and the other gap genes. In turn, gt activity in these domains affects the expression of the other gap genes. These interactions, typical of the crossregulation previously observed among gap genes, confirm that gt is a member of the gap gene class whose function is necessary to establish the overall pattern of gap gene expression. After cellular blastoderm, gt protein continues to be expressed in the head region in parts of the maxillary and mandibular segments as well as in the labrum. Expression is never detected in the labial or thoracic segment primordia but persists in certain head structures, including the ring gland, until the end of embryonic development.
Independent roles of centrosomes and DNA in organizing theDrosophilacytoskeleton
Authors: Yasuda Glenn K. , Baker Jayne , Schubiger Gerold 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe early embryonic divisions of Drosophila melanogaster are characterized by rapid, synchronized changes of the nuclei and surrounding cytoskeleton. We report evidence that these changes are carried out by two separately organized systems. DNA was sufficient to cause assembly of nuclear lamina and the formation of nuclear membrane with pore structures. Free centrosomes were correlated with the formation of microtubule, microfilament and spectrin networks in the absence of nuclei. In addition, we found that the morphology of the cytoskeleton associated with the free centrosomes cycled in response to the embryonic cell cycle cues. These observations suggest that the centrosomes may be responsible for the organization of this extensive cytoskeleton. The early divisions may therefore result from the independent cycling of two systems, the nucleus and the surrounding cytoskeleton, that respond separately to the mitotic cues in the embryo and function together to give the synchronized early divisions. The Drosophila embryo has an ‘intermediate’ mitotic system in which the nuclear membrane does not break down completely during mitosis. We speculate that the principles of cytoskeleton organization in this system may be different from those of the Xenopus ‘open’ mitotic system.
Analysis of distribution patterns of gap junctions during development of embryonic chick facial primordia and brain
Authors: Minkoff Robert , Parker Susan B. , Hertzberg Elliot L. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Gap junction distribution in the facial primordia of chick embryos at the time of primary palate formation was studied employing indirect immunofluorescence localization with antibodies to gap junction proteins initially identified in rat liver (27×103Mr, connexin 32) and heart (43×103Mr, connexin 43). Immunolocalization with antibodies to the rat liver gap junction protein (27 ×103Mr) demonstrated a ubiquitous and uniform distribution in all regions of the epithelium and mesenchyme except the nasal placode. In the placodal epithelium, a unique non-random distribution was found characterized by two zones: a very heavy concentration of signal in the superficial layer of cells adjacent to the exterior surface and a region devoid of detectable signal in the interior cell layer adjacent to the mesenchyme. This pattern was seen during all stages of placode invagination that were examined. The separation of gap junctions in distinct cell layers was unique to the nasal placode, and was not found in any other region of the developing primary palate. One other tissue was found that exhibited this pattern -the developing neural epithelium of the brain and retina. These observations suggest the presence of region-specific signaling mechanisms and, possibly, an impedance of cell communication among subpopulations of cells in these structures at critical stages of development. Immunolocalization with antibodies to the ‘heart’ 43 × 103Mr gap junction protein also revealed the presence of gap junction protein in facial primordia and neural epithelium. A non-uniform distribution of immunoreactivity was also observed for connexin 43.
The relationship between cell proliferation and the transcription of the nuclear oncogenes c-myc, c-myb and c-ets-1 during feather morphogenesis in the chick embryo
Authors: Desbiens Xavier , Quéva Christophe , Jaffredo Thierry , Stéhelin Dominique , Vandenbunder Bernard 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
We have described the expression of three nuclear protooncogenes, c-myc, c-myb and c-ets-1 during feather morphogenesis in the chick embryo. In parallel with the expression patterns obtained by in situ hybridization, we have mapped the spatial distribution of S-phase cells by monitoring the incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine.
We do not detect c-myc or c-myb transcripts during the early stages when S-phase cells are scattered in the dermis and in the epidermis. Rather c-ets-1 transcripts are abundant in the dermal cells which divide and accumulate under the uniform epidermis. At the onset of the formation of the feather bud, cells within each rudiment cease DNA replicative activities and c-myc transcripts are detected both in the epidermis and in the underlying dermis. This expression precedes the reentry into the S phase. The transcription of c-myb, which has been previously tightly linked to hemopoietic cells is also detected in the developing skin. This expression is essentially located in proliferating epidermal cells on and after the beginning of feather outgrowth. As feather outgrowth proceeds, the distribution of c-myc and c-myb transcripts is restricted to the highly proliferating epidermis. In contrast c-ets-1 transcripts are never detected in the epidermis. During the later stages of skin morphogenesis, the transcription of c-ets-1 is restricted to the endothelial cells of blood vessels, as previously described.
We suggest that the differential expression of these nuclear oncogenes reflects the activation of different mitotic controlling pathways during the development of the skin.
Genetically identical parthenogenetic mouse embryos produced by inhibition of the first meiotic cleavage with cytochalasin D
Authors: Kubiak Jacek , Paldi Andras , Weber Michèle , Maro Bernard 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The microfilament inhibitor cytochalasin D inhibits extrusion of the first polar body when present during the first meiotic division of mouse oocytes; however, it does not interfere with anaphase movement of chromosomes, and thus induces the formation of tetraploid oocytes. After the separation of chromosomes in anaphase, two spindles start to assemble. However, they merge rapidly and a single meiotic spindle forms. During the transition between metaphase I and metaphase II, in the presence of cytochalasin D, a drop in histone kinase activity takes place demonstrating a transitional decrease in the activity of the maturation promoting factor. These oocytes can be activated parthenogenetically a few hours after washing out the inhibitor. After completion of the second meiotic division and extrusion of a polar body, they contain a diploid number of chromosomes. They are genetically identical to each other and to their mother. Such eggs develop to the blastocyst stage and can implant in the uteri of foster mothers. Most of these fetuses die before the 9th day of gestation, as do diploid control fetuses treated with cytochalasin D during the second meiotic division. The heterozygous state of the experimental embryos obtained after activation of eggs recovered from heterozygous females and treated with cytochalasin D during the first meiotic .division was confirmed using a glucose-phosphate isomerase assay. This technique allows the production of genetic clones of parthenogenetic embryos by simple means.
In situ analysis of fetal, prepuberal and adult XX ↔ XY chimaeric mouse testes: Sertoli cells are predominantly, but not exclusively, XY
Authors: Palmer Stephen J. , Burgoyne Paul S. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The testes of fetal, prepuberal and adult XX ↔ XY chimaeras were examined using in situ hybridisation to identify the β -globin transgenic marker contained in one component of each chimaera. This enabled the proportion of XX and XY cells contributing to the major cell lineages of the testis to be estimated from sectioned and air-dried material. A few XX Sertoli cells were found in all three age groups, but the XX contribution was always much lower than in other somatic cell types. Significantly, in fetal XX↔ XY testes, Sertoli cells were the only cell type to show a bias in favour of the XY component. This strengthens the view that Tdy acts solely in the lineage that gives rise to Sertoli cells. However, the finding of some fetal XX Sertoli cells means that one of the steps in the Trfy-initiated process of Sertoli cell determination is capable of locally recruiting XX cells.
Developmental expression of fibrillarin and U3 snRNA inXenopus laevis
Authors: Caizergues-Ferrer Michèle , Mathieu Colette , Mariottini Paolo , Amalric Francois , Amaldi Francesco 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTFibrillarin is one of the protein components that together with U3 snRNA constitute the U3 snRNP, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle involved in ribosomal RNA processing in eucaryotic cells. Using an antifibrillarin antiserum for protein detection and a fibrillarin cDNA and a synthetic oligonucleotide complementary to U3 snRNA as hybridization probes, the expression of these two components has been studied during Xenopus development. Fibrillarin mRNA is accumulated early in oogenesis, like many other messengers, and translated during oocyte growth. Fibrillarin protein is thus progressively accumulated throughout oogenesis to be assembled with U3 snRNA and used for ribosome production in the amplified nucleoli. After fertilization, the amount of U3 snRNA decreases while the maternally accumulated fibrillarin mRNA is maintained and utilized to produce more protein. After the mid-blastula transition, stored fibrillarin is assembled with newly synthesized U3 snRNA and becomes localized in the prenucleolar bodies and reforming nucleoli.
Drosophila gastrulation: analysis of cell shape changes in living embryos by three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Kam Zvi , Minden Jonathan S. , Agard David A. , Sedat John W. , Leptin Maria 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The first event of Drosophila gastrulation is the formation of the ventral furrow. This process, which leads to the invagination of the mesoderm, is a classical example of epithelial folding. To understand better the cellular changes and dynamics of furrow formation, we examined living Drosophila embryos using three-dimensional time-lapse microscopy. By injecting fluorescent markers that visualize cell outlines and nuclei, we monitored changes in cell shapes and nuclear positions. We find that the ventral furrow invaginates in two phases. During the first ‘preparatory’ phase, many prospective furrow cells in apparently random positions gradually begin to change shape, but the curvature of the epithelium hardly changes. In the second phase, when a critical number of cells have begun to change shape, the furrow suddenly invaginates. Our results suggest that furrow formation does not result from an ordered wave of cell shape changes, contrary to a model for epithelial invagination in which a wave of apical contractions causes invagination. Instead, it appears that cells change their shape independently, in a stochastic manner, and the sum of these individual changes alters the curvature of the whole epithelium.
mRNA localization studies suggest that murine FGF-5 plays a role in gastrulation
Authors: Hébert Jean M. , Boyle Monica , Martin Gail R. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
During gastrulation in the mouse, the pluripotent embryonic ectoderm cells form the three primary germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Little is known about the mechanisms responsible for these processes, but evidence from previous studies in amphibians, as well as expression studies in mammals, suggest that signalling molecules of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family may play a role in gastrulation. To determine whether this might be the case for FGF-5 in the mouse embryo, we carried out RNA in situ hybridization studies to determine when and where in the early postimplantation embryo the Fgf-5 gene is expressed. We chose to study this particular member of the FGF gene family because we had previously observed that its pattern of expression in cultures of teratocarcinoma cell aggregates is consistent with the proposal that Fgf-5 plays a role in gastrulation in vivo. The results reported here show that Fgf-5 expression increases dramatically in the pluripotent embryonic ectoderm just prior to gastrulation, is restricted to the cells forming the three primary germ layers during gastrulation, and is not detectable in any cells in the embryo once formation of the primary germ layers is virtually complete. Based on this provocative expression pattern and in light of what is known about the functions in vitro of other members of the FGF family, we hypothesize that in the mouse embryo Fgf-5 functions in an autocrine manner to stimulate the mobility of the cells that contribute to the embryonic germ layers or to render them competent to respond to other inductive or positional signals.
Neuroanatomical and functional analysis of neural tube formation in notochordless Xenopus embryos; laterality of the ventral spinal cord is lost
Authors: Clarke J. D. W. , Holder Nigel , Soffe S. R. , Storm-Mathisen J. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Notochordless Xenopus embryos were produced by u.v. irradiation of the uncleaved fertilized egg. The spinal cords were examined using intermediate filament staining for glial cells, retrograde HRP staining for neuronal morphology and an anti-glycinergic antibody to reveal commissural cells and axons. The floorplate cells of the normal cord appear to be absent and their position along the ventral midline of the cord is occupied by motor neurones, Kolmer-Agduhr cells, radial glial cells and a ventrally placed marginal zone containing the longitudinal axons. Motor neurone number is reduced to 15 % of control values, and the sensory extramedullary cell number is increased twentyfold. Commissural axons are still able to cross the ventral cord but do so at abnormal angles and some commissural axons continue to grow circumferentially up the contralateral side of the cord rather than turning to grow longitudinally. Extracellular electrophysiological recordings from motor axons reveal that the normal alternation of locomotor activity on the left and right side of the embryo is lost in notochordless animals. These results suggest that the notochord and/or the normal floor plate structure are important for the development of the laterality of spinal cord connections and may influence motor neurone proliferation or differentiation.
Two C. elegans genes control the programmed deaths of specific cells in the pharynx
Authors: Ellis Ronald E. , Horvitz H. Robert 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The genes ces-1 and ces-2 control the decisions of two cells in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to undergo programmed cell death. Mutations that cause a gain of ces-1 function or a reduction of ces-2 function prevent these cells, the sisters of the two pharyngeal NSM neurons, from dying. These mutations do not affect most other cell deaths. Genetic studies indicate that ces-1 and ces-2 affect the fates of the NSM sisters by regulating the genes required for all programmed cell deaths to occur.
Nerve-dependent and -independent tenascin expression in the developing chick limb bud
Authors: Wehrle-Haller Bernhard , Koch Manuel , Baumgartner Stefan , Spring Jürg , Chiquet Matthias 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The extracellular matrix protein, tenascin, appears in a restricted pattern during organ morphogenesis. Tenascin accumulates along developing peripheral nerves as they leave the spinal cord and enter the limb mesenchyme (Wehrle and Chiquet, Development 110, 401– 415, 1990). Here we found that most but not all tenascin deposited along growing nerves is of glial origin. By in situ hybridization with a tenascin cDNA probe, we determined the site of tenascin mRNA accumulation both in normal and nerve-free limbs. In normal wing buds, tenascin mRNA was first detected within the developing limb nerves. Vinculin-positive glial precursor cells, which comigrate with the axons, are the likely source of this tenascin message. In nerveless wing grafts, tenascin was first expressed in tendon primordia in the absence, and thus independently, from innervation. In contrast to normal limbs, grafted wing buds neither contained vinculin-positive glial precursor cells, nor expressed tenascin in regions proximal to tendon primordia. In normal wing buds, tenascin deposited by tendon primordia transiently parallels and surrounds certain developing nerves. After the major nerve pattern is established, tenascin mRNA disappears from nerves in the upper limb, but is expressed in perichondrium and tendons. We propose that glial tenascin facilitates the penetration of axons into the limb bud and is important for nerve fasciculation. In some places, early tendon primordia might help to guide the migration of axons and glial precursor cells towards their target. Abbreviations: ECM, extracellular matrix; TBS, Tris buffered saline; mAb, monoclonal antibody, IgG, immunoglobulin gamma; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulfate; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β; FCS, fetal calf serum.
The extracellular matrix of lip wounds in fetal, neonatal and adult mice
Authors: Whitby David J. , Ferguson Mark W. J. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Wound healing in the fetus occurs rapidly, by a regenerative process and without an inflammatory response, resulting in complete restitution of normal tissue function. By contrast, in the adult, wounds heal with scar formation, which may impair function and inhibit further growth. The cellular mechanisms underlying these differing forms of wound healing are unknown but the extracellular matrix (ECM), through its effects on cell function, may play a key role. We have studied the ECM in upper lip wounds of adult, neonatal and fetal mice at days 14, 16 and 18 of gestation. The spatial and temporal distribution of collagen types I, in, IV, V and VI, fibronectin, tenascin, laminin, chondroitin and heparan sulphates were examined immunohisto-chemically. Results from the fetal groups were essentially similar whilst there were distinct differences between fetus, neonate and adult. Fibronectin was present at the surface of the wound in all groups at 1 h post-wounding. Tenascin was also present at the wound surface but the time at which it was first present differed between fetus (1 h), neonate (12 h) and adult (24 h). The time of first appearance paralleled the rate of wound healing which was most rapid in the fetus and slowest in the adult. Tenascin inhibits the cell adhesion effect of fibronectin and during development the appearance of tenascin correlates with the initiation of cell migration. During wound healing the appearance of tenascin preceded cell migration and the rapid closure of fetal wounds may be due to the early appearance of tenascin in the wound. Collagen types I, HI, IV, V and VI were present in all three wound groups but the timing and pattern of collagen deposition differed, with restoration of the normal collagen pattern in the fetus and a scar pattern in the adult. This confirms that lack of scarring in fetal wounds is due to the organisation of collagen within the wound and not simply lack of collagen formation. The distribution of chondroitin sulphate differed between normal fetal and adult tissues and between fetal and adult wounds. Its presence in the fetal wound may alter collagen fibril formation. No inflammatory response was seen in the fetal wounds. The differences in the ECM of fetal and adult wounds suggests that it may be possible to alter the adult wound so that it heals by a fetal-like process without scar formation, loss of tissue function or restriction of growth.