Int. J. Dev. Biol. 51: 339 - 343 (2007)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.062235js

Vol 51, Issue 4

Expression and regulation of Xenopus CRMP-4 in the developing nervous system

Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 1 May 2007

Jacob Souopgui, Tiemo J. Klisch, Tomas Pieler and Kristine A. Henningfeld*

DFG-Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Department of Developmental Biochemistry, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany

Abstract

The collaspin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) are a family of cytosolic phosphoproteins which play a critical role in the establishment of neuronal polarity and growth cone guidance. Here, we describe the temporal and spatial expression of CRMP-4 during early Xenopus embryogenesis. CRMP-4 transcripts were first detected by whole mount in situ hybridization at the end of gastrulation in the prospective neuroectoderm. During open neural plate stages, CRMP-4 was expressed broadly throughout the anterior neural plate and in the three bilateral stripes of the posterior neural plate where primary neurons arise. The expression in the territories of primary neurogenesis prefigures that of the post-mitotic neuronal marker N-tubulin. At tadpole stages, expression was maintained throughout the central nervous system and in the retina of the eye. Consistent with the observed expression, CRMP-4 transcripts are positively regulated by X-ngnr-1 and negatively by Notch signaling. The observed expression and regulation of CRMP-4 differ from that of the CRMP-2, which is induced by the events of neural induction.

Keywords

Xenopus, primary neurogenesis, neurogenin, CRMP, Notch