Elsevier

Gene Expression Patterns

Volume 5, Issue 1, November 2004, Pages 97-105
Gene Expression Patterns

Identification and comparative expression analyses of Daam genes in mouse and Xenopus

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modgep.2004.06.001Get rights and content

Abstract

During vertebrate embryogenesis, secreted Wnt molecules regulate cell fates by signaling through the canonical pathway mediated by β-catenin, and regulate planar cell polarity (PCP) and convergent extension movements through alternative pathways. The phosphoprotein Dishevelled (Dsh/Dvl) is a Wnt signal transducer thought to function in all Wnt signaling pathways. A recently identified member of the Formin family, Daam (Dishevelled—associated activator of morphogenesis), regulates the morphogenetic movements of vertebrate gastrulation in a Wnt-dependent manner through direct interactions with Dsh/Dvl and RhoA. We describe two mouse Daam cDNAs, mDaam1 and mDaam2, which encode proteins characterized by highly conserved formin homology domains and which are expressed in complementary patterns during mouse development. Cross-species comparisons indicate that the expression domains of Xenopus Daam1 (XDaam1) mirror mDaam1 expression. Our results demonstrate that Daams are expressed in tissues known to require Wnts and are consistent with Daams being effectors of Wnt signaling during vertebrate development.

Section snippets

Results and discussion

Wnts are key orchestrators of cell fate specification and the morphogenetic movements that occur during vertebrate axis formation and gastrulation (reviewed in Yamaguchi, 2001, Tada et al., 2002, Myers et al., 2002, Veeman et al., 2003). Studies in zebrafish and Xenopus indicate that Wnts control vertebrate gastrulation movements by signaling through non-canonical, βcatenin-independent, signaling pathways. Several non-canonical pathways have been proposed, including the Wnt/Ca2+, the Wnt/JNK,

Isolation of mDaam1 and mDaam2 cDNAs

To isolate mDaam1 and mDaam2 cDNAs, we performed a PCR-based screen of an E12.5 Swiss Webster embryo cDNA library using Rapid-Screen™ Arrayed cDNA Library Panels (Origene Tecnologies Inc. MEB-1001). Primer pairs used for mDaam1 cDNA screening were based on sequences derived from ESTs (see below):

  • forward primer 5′-GTAACCAGATTCATCGACTT-3′

  • reverse primer 5′-CTTGCAGAACTTTCTTGTGG-3′

Similarly, primer pairs used for mDaam2 cDNA screening are as follows:

  • forward primer 5′-TGTCAATGTGGACCATGTCA-3′,

  • reverse

Acknowledgements

We thank Mark Lewandoski, Rivka Rachel and lab members for discussion and comments on the manuscript. RH is supported by an IRTA fellowship (NICHD/NIH) and gratefully acknowledges the support and guidance of Igor B. Dawid.

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