In situ detection of transcripts of the myogenic factor MyoD in whole chicken embryos

Abstract

In situ hybridization has provided insights into the molecular basis of skeletal myogenesis during embryonic development. In situ detection of different muscle-specific regulatory factors in whole embryos has been described. Spatial and temporal expression patterns of these factors differed among species. The expression pattern of MyoD in whole chicken embryos was studied via in situ hybridization using a probe obtained by the reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. In newly formed somites (embryos of stage 12), MyoD mRNA transcripts were detected along the anterior to posterior axis of somites immediately adjacent to the neural tube, whereas in mature somites (embryos of stage 24), MyoD transcripts were detected throughout the entire somite. These results indicate that MyoD expression is important for initiating and maintaining the avian myogenic system.

Influence of the neural tube/notochord complex on MyoD expression and cellular proliferation in chicken embryos

“…Expression was most intense in mature somites, which are located near the cephalic region, and decreased in younger somites, localized close to the caudal extremity of the embryo. These results agree with reports in which MyoD transcripts were detected in serial sections of quail embryos (18) and in whole mount chicken embryos (15).…”

“…Embryos were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde at 4ºC for 16 h and dehydrated in 70% ethanol. An antisense MyoD probe labeled with digoxigenin was obtained by in vitro transcription as established by Gabriel et al (15). MyoD transcripts were detected by immunodetection using an anti-digoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase.…”

Identificação e caracterização de seqüências expressas (EST) na musculatura peitoral de frangos de corte.

“…Análises de hibridação in situ demonstraram que o fator miogênico MyoD desempenha papel importante na manutenção da miogênese (Gabriel et al, 2000). Em estudo recente foi sugerido que os níveis de Myf-5 em animais onde foi bloqueada a expressão dos outros três fatores (MyoD, MRF4 e miogenina), são insuficientes para ativar o programa miogênico (Valdez et al, 2000).…”