Embryonic expression of the transforming growth factor beta ligand and receptor genes in chicken

• Published in: Developmental dynamics Vol. 243; no. 3; pp. 497 - 508
• Main Authors: Cooley, James R., Yatskievych, Tatiana A., Antin, Parker B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-03-2014
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, CD - biosynthesis; Antigens, CD - genetics; Avian Proteins - biosynthesis; Avian Proteins - genetics; Chick Embryo; chicken; Embryonic Development - physiology; Gallus gallus; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; in situ hybridization; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - biosynthesis; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; transforming growth factor beta; Transforming Growth Factor beta - biosynthesis; Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; chicken; transforming growth factor beta; Gallus gallus; in situ hybridization
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24085

Background: Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGFβ) signaling regulates a myriad of biological processes during embryogenesis, in the adult, and during the manifestation of disease. TGFβ signaling is propagated through one of three TGFβ ligands interacting with Type I and Type II receptors, and Type III co‐receptors. Although TGFβ signaling is regulated partly by the combinatorial expression patterns of TGFβ receptors and ligands, a comprehensive gene expression analysis has not been published. Results: Here we report the embryonic mRNA expression patterns in chicken embryos of the canonical TGFβ ligands (TGFB1, TGFB2, and TGFB3) and receptors (TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFBR3), plus the Activin A receptor, type 1 (ACVR1) and co receptor Endoglin (ENG) that also transduce TGFβ signaling. Conclusions: TGFB ligands and receptors show dynamic and frequently overlapping expression patterns in numerous embryonic cell layers and structures. Integrating expression information identifies combinations of ligands and receptors that are involved in specific developmental processes including somitogenesis, cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 243:497–508, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Key findings
Expression patterns of the TGFB ligands and receptors were examined in chicken embryos during the first four days of development.
TGFB ligands and receptors show dynamic and frequently overlapping expression patterns in numerous embryonic cell layers and structures.
Integrating expression information identifies combinations of ligands and receptors that are involved in specific developmental processes including somitogenesis, cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis.