The expression of myosin genes in developing skeletal muscle in the mouse embryo

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Cell Biology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.111.4.1465· OSTI ID:6324229

Lyons, G E; Ontell, M; Cox, R; Sassoon, D; Buckingham, M ^[1]

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1. Pasteur Institute, Paris (France)

Using in situ hybridization, we have investigated the temporal sequence of myosin gene expression in the developing skeletal muscle masses of mouse embryos. The probes used were isoform-specific, 35S-labeled antisense cRNAs to the known sarcomeric myosin heavy chain and myosin alkali light chain gene transcripts. Results showed that both cardiac and skeletal myosin heavy chain and myosin light chain mRNAs were first detected between 9 and 10 d post coitum (p.c.) in the myotomes of the most rostral somites. Myosin transcripts appeared in more caudal somites at later stages in a developmental gradient. The earliest myosin heavy chain transcripts detected code for the embryonic skeletal (MHCemb) and beta-cardiac (MHC beta) isoforms. Perinatal myosin heavy chain (MHCpn) transcripts begin to accumulate at 10.5 d p.c., which is much earlier than previously reported. At this stage, MHCemb is the major MHC transcript. By 12.5 d p.c., MHCpn and MHCemb mRNAs are present to an equal extent, and by 15.5 d p.c. the MHCpn transcript is the major MHC mRNA detected. Cardiac MHC beta transcripts are always present as a minor component. In contrast, the cardiac MLC1A mRNA is initially more abundant than that encoding the skeletal MLC1F isoform. By 12.5 d p.c. the two MLC mRNAs are present at similar levels, and by 15.5 d p.c., MLC1F is the predominant MLC transcript detected. Transcripts for the ventricular/slow (MLC1V) and another fast skeletal myosin light chain (MLC3F) are not detected in skeletal muscle before 15 d p.c., which marks the beginning of the fetal stage of muscle development. This is the first stage at which we can detect differences in expression of myosin genes between developing muscle fibers. We conclude that, during the development of the myotome and body wall muscles, different myosin genes follow independent patterns of activation and acculumation.

• OSTI ID: 6324229
• Journal Information: Journal of Cell Biology; (USA), Vol. 111:4; ISSN 0021-9525
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
MYOSIN
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
GENE REGULATION
EMBRYOS
HEART
ISOENZYMES
MESSENGER-RNA
MICE
MUSCLES
PHENOTYPE
SULFUR 35
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GLOBULINS
HYBRIDIZATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAMMALS
NUCLEI
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
RADIOISOTOPES
RNA
RODENTS
SULFUR ISOTOPES
VERTEBRATES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques
550801 - Morphology- Tracer Techniques