Project description:The overall goal of this project is to investigate the role of TGF-beta signaling in tissue-tissue interactions between myogenic precursors of craniofacial muscles and cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs). Here, we conducted gene expression profiling of the mandibular arch from mice at embryonic day E11.5 with a CNCC-specific conditional inactivation of the TGF-beta receptor type 1 gene Alk5. These mice provide a model of microglossia as well as disrupted extraocular and masticatory muscle development, which are congenital birth defects commonly observed in several syndromic conditions. To investigate the adverse effects of dysfunctional TGF-beta signaling on tissue-tissue interactions between CNCCs and myogenic precursors of craniofacial muscles, we analyzed mandibular arch tissue of mice with a CNCC-specific conditional inactivation of Alk5 (Wnt1-Cre; Alk5 fl/fl). We performed microarray analyses of the mandibular arch of Alk5 fl/fl control mice and Wnt1-Cre; Alk5 fl/fl mutant mice, collected at embryonic day E11.5 (n=4 per group).
Project description:The overall goal of this project is to investigate the role of TGF-beta signaling in tissue-tissue interactions between myogenic precursors of craniofacial muscles and cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs). Here, we conducted gene expression profiling of the mandibular arch from mice at embryonic day E11.5 with a CNCC-specific conditional inactivation of the TGF-beta receptor type 1 gene Alk5. These mice provide a model of microglossia as well as disrupted extraocular and masticatory muscle development, which are congenital birth defects commonly observed in several syndromic conditions.
Project description:Fusion of branchial arch derivatives is an essential event in the development of craniofacial architecture. A unique feature of the mandibular arch development is medial/lateral compartmentalization for the molecular networks. Those networks give rise to multiple region-specific organs, namely teeth, a tongue, salivary glands, and the supporting matrices such as bones and cartilages. We aimed to investigate molecular networks that govern the fusion process during mouse mandibular development. To this end, cDNA microarray technology was employed for screening of spatio-temporal gene expression in developing mandibular arch from E9.7 through E14.5.