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D Duboule

Publications and source records attributed to D Duboule.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

DNA sequences homologous to the Drosophila opa repeat are present in murine mRNAs that are differentially expressed in fetuses and adult tissues.

A mouse embryonic cDNA containing two opa-like (CAX)n repeats was isolated on the basis of its cross-hybridization with a Drosophila K10 cDNA. Such repeated sequences were present in different murine mRNAs, some of which were specifically expressed during fetal life or in different adult tissues. This suggests that, as already described for Drosophila, opa-like sequences are parts of proteins involved in ontogenic or cell-type-specific functions in vertebrates. However, unlike Drosophila, such repeated sequences were not found within the murine homeo-boxes containing genes of the Hox-1 complex.

Age Factors↗

A new homeo-box is present in overlapping cosmid clones which define the mouse Hox-1 locus.

A new murine homeo-box (Hox1-3) has been isolated and studied with respect to its structure and transcriptional pattern. This homeo-box is part of a gene which is specifically regulated during mouse prenatal development and expressed in a restricted number of teratocarcinoma tumours as well as in adult testis. Hox1-3 is shown to be a member of a cluster of at least four homeo-boxes lying within a 75-kb segment of DNA on mouse chromosome 6. The structure of the whole cluster, the Hox-1 locus is presented.

Animals↗

A fine analysis of glucose-phosphate-isomerase patterns in single preimplantation mouse embryos.

Mouse embryos were derived from eggs heterozygous for alleles of the dimeric enzyme glucose phosphate isomerase (Gpi-1a/Gpi-1b) that had been fertilized with sperm carrying a third allele (Gpi-1c). This particular combination makes it possible to study the activity of the paternally derived as well as the maternally derived genes, the persistence of oocyte-coded enzyme throughout early development and the possible simultaneous expression of both the paternally derived allele and the maternal message. The different isozymes present in single embryos were separated by electrophoresis. The results show that the oocyte-coded glucose phosphate isomerase is gradually replaced by embryo-coded enzyme. Expression of the paternally derived allele was first detected at the morula stage, during which the translation of the maternally derived message seemed to be either exhausted or below the detection limit of our system. Some oocyte-coded enzyme persisted until after implantation.

Animals↗

Tissue preference and differentiation of malignant rat x mouse hybrid cells in chimaeric mouse fetuses.

Mouse teratocarcinoma cells (OTT6050) deficient for thymidine kinase were fused with rat hepatoma cells ( Fu5AH ) deficient for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase using inactivated Sendai virus. The hybrid cells were selected and cultured in the presence of HAT medium. A clonally established hybrid cell line ( As3 ), which in addition to its mouse genome contains several rat chromosomes, expresses rat specific enzyme variants and produces large primarily undifferentiated tumors, with some hepatoma characteristics in athymic nude mice. To reveal the in vivo developmental potential of these cells and to determine whether, under different experimental conditions, they are capable of participating in tissue differentiation, the As3 cells were injected into mouse blastocysts from the C57BL/6 strain. The experimental blastocysts were then transferred into the uteri of pseudopregnant foster mothers to allow further development. From a total of 212 blastocysts transplanted, 61 fetuses developed and were analysed for As3 contributions between the 10th and 18th day of gestation. Four fetuses at day 18 showed hybrid cell participation in their livers and a few organs of only endo-mesodermal origin, as judged from the presence of rat-specific enzyme variants. The enzymes were organ-specifically expressed (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase) or appeared newly during in situ differentiation while being absent in the original hybrid cells (e.g., glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). During short in vitro culture of the chimaeric organs, it was possible to select for the hybrid cells which reverted to an enzyme pattern simiar to but not identical with the As3 cell line and different to that observed in situ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Homoeobox gene expression in mouse embryos varies with position by the primitive streak stage.

Pattern formation in animal development requires that genes be expressed differentially according to position in the sheets of cells that make up the early embryo. The homoeobox-containing genes of Drosophila are control genes active both in the establishment of a segmentation pattern and in the specification of segment identity. In situ hybridization experiments confirm that these genes are expressed in a segmentally-restricted manner and that their expression presages morphological differentiation of segmental structures. Homoeobox genes have recently been isolated from the mouse and have been shown to be expressed during mouse development. Using in situ hybridization, we show here that expression of the mouse homoeobox gene Mo-10 (ref. 7) is spatially restricted in the developing embryo and that localization of expression is already evident within the germ layers before their morphological differentiation. These findings support the suggestion that the homoeobox genes of mammals, like those of Drosophila, may be important in pattern formation.

Animals↗