Expression and Participation of Edn1/Ednra Cell Signaling Pathway During the Embryonic Development of Xenopus laevis

MARCELA BONANO; CELESTE TRIBULO; MANUEL J. AYBAR; SARA S. SÁNCHEZ

Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina

Jornada; XXI Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2004

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

The neural crest cells (NCC) are induced at the border between neural plate and the prospective epidermis. This cell population is highly migratory and is able to generate a variety of cells, including neurons, pigment cells, smooth muscle, cranofacial cartilage and bone, etc. It has been demonstrated that the signals BMP4, Wnt, FGF and retinoic acid participate in the initial induction of this tissue. At the present, the expression of components of the Endothelin cell signaling pathway during the embryonic development of the amphibian Xenopus is unknown. In the present work we report the isolation of a 2.8 kb-lenght transcript corresponding to the cDNA of Endothelin Receptor A (Ednra) and a detailed analysis by wholemount in situ hybridization of its expression during early embryonic development. Results showed that Ednra is expressed at the neural plate border starting in stage 13 (early neurula). During NCC migration Ednra expression is located in the cephalic migratory streams and in the postmigratory NCC Ednra labels branchial arches and the otic vesicle. The participation of Edn1/Ednra cell signal during development was analyzed using the specific inhibitor of Ednra BQ123. Result suggest the participation of Edn1/Ednra cell signaling pathway in the induction and migration of neural crest cells.