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SUMMARY:The role of FoxN3 in the development of the chondrocranium and ass
 ociated head muscles in the African Clawed-frog\, Xenopus laevis - Lennart
  Olsson\, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
DTSTART:20200422T120000Z
DTEND:20200422T130000Z
UID:TALK138685@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Toby Andrews
DESCRIPTION:Studies of chondrocranium evolution and development has led to
  the discovery of major genes and mechanisms that govern its early develop
 ment. However\, many of the genetic interactions forming the gene regulato
 ry network controlling cell condensation\, chondrogenesis and morphogenesi
 s of the chondrocranium are still poorly understood. FoxN3 has been report
 ed to be crucial for the normal development of neural crest-derived elemen
 ts of the chondrocranium and its associated muscles in Xenopus laevis. But
  the genetic interactions by which FoxN3 regulates chondrogenesis and musc
 le development in the head of X. laevis are still poorly known. We used Mo
 rpholino-mediated knock down in combination with qRT-PCR and whole-mount i
 n situ hybridization to analyse potential target genes of FoxN3. The tempo
 ral and spatial expressions of different cartilage\, muscle and joint mark
 ers as well as cell adhesion molecules are changed following FoxN3 depleti
 on. Expression of N-CAM and N-Cadherin is decreased throughout development
  and expression of genes important for cartilage formation (Sox-9\, Col2α
 1\, Runx-2) is delayed. Joint markers (Gdf5/6) and genes (Dlx5/6) importan
 t for regional specification are also down-regulated. Additionally\, expre
 ssion levels of key myogenic genes such as MyoD and of structural muscle g
 enes are reduced compared to control embryos. This results in smaller cart
 ilage and muscle anlagen and incomplete development of neural crest-\, but
  not mesodermal-\, derived elements of the chondrocranium. Additionally\, 
 FoxN3 is important for the formation of the intermediate domain during joi
 nt development in the head of X. laevis. It seems that FoxN3 plays a key r
 ole upstream of a complex gene regulatory network maintaining normal carti
 lage and joint formation of the chondrocranium and proper development of t
 he muscles connected to it.
LOCATION:Part II Lecture Theatre\, Department of Zoology
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