Pou3f transcription factor expression during embryonic development highlights distinct pou3f3 and pou3f4 localization in the Xenopus laevis kidney.

Pou3f transcription factor expression during embryonic development highlights distinct pou3f3 and pou3f4 localization in the Xenopus laevis kidney. Int J Dev Biol. 2018;62(4-5):325-333 Authors: Cosse-Etchepare C, Gervi I, Buisson I, Formery L, Schubert M, Riou JF, Umbhauer M, Le Bouffant R Abstract The POU (Pit-Oct-Unc) genes encode a large transcription factor family comprising 6 classes (pou1f to pou6f ) involved in many developmental processes, such as cell commitment and differentiation. The pou3f class contains four members (pou3f1, pou3f2, pou3f3, pou3f4) characterized by expression in ectodermal tissue derivatives, such as nervous system and otic vesicle, during mammalian development. In order to obtain insights into the potential conservation of this class of transcription factors in vertebrates, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis and a comprehensive comparative study of pou3f expression in the frog Xenopus laevis. All vertebrates examined possessed members of the four pou3f subfamilies, excepting the zebrafish, which lacked a pou3f4 gene. Whole mount in situ hybridization and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses revealed that Xenopus pou3f genes were expressed in the forming neural tube and their expression was maintained in the brain, mostly in the dorsal part, at tailbud stages. The pou3f2, pou3f3, and pou3f4 genes were also expressed in the developing otic vesicle, and pou3f1 in some cel...
Source: International Journal of Developmental Biology - Category: Biology Tags: Int J Dev Biol Source Type: research