DNA dendrimers localize MyoD mRNA in presomitic tissues of the chick embryo

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2000

Abstract

MyoD expression is thought to be induced in somites in response to factors released by surrounding tissues; however, reverse transcription-PCR and cell culture analyses indicate that myogenic cells are present in the embryo before somite formation. Fluorescently labeled DNA dendrimers were used to identify MyoD expressing cells in presomitic tissues in vivo. Subpopulations of MyoD positive cells were found in the segmental plate, epiblast, mesoderm, and hypoblast. Directly after laying, the epiblast of the two layered embryo contained ~20 MyoD positive cells. These results demonstrate that dendrimers are precise and sensitive reagents for localizing low levels of mRNA in tissue sections and whole embryos, and that cells with myogenic potential are present in the embryo before the initiation of gastrulation.

Publication Title

Journal of Cell Biology

Volume

149

Issue

4

First Page

825

Last Page

833

Comments

This article was published in Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 149, Issue 4, Pages 825-833.

The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.149.4.825.

Copyright © 2000 Elsevier.

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