1,721,007 research outputs found
Dystroglycan is required for proper retinal layering.
No full textDystroglycan (DG) is a transmembrane receptor linking the extracellular matrix to the internal cytoskeleton. Its structural function has been mainly characterized in muscle fibers, but DG plays signaling and developmental roles also in different tissues and cell types. We have investigated the effects of dystroglycan depletion during eye development of Xenopus laevis. We have injected a specific morpholino (Mo) antisense oligonucleotide in the animal pole of one dorsal blastomere of embryos at four cells stage. Mo-mediated loss of DG function caused disruption of the basal lamina layers, increased apoptosis and reduction of the expression domains of specific retinal markers, at early stages. Later in development, morphants displayed unilateral ocular malformations, such as microphtalmia and retinal delayering with photoreceptors and ganglion cells scattered throughout the retina or aggregated in rosette-like structures. These results recall the phenotypes observed in specific human diseases and suggest that DG presence is crucial at early stages for the organization of retinal architecture
Pluripotent Stem Cells for Brain Repair: Protocols and Preclinical Applications in Cortical and Hippocampal Pathologies
Full text linkIn vivo PC3 overexpression by retroviral vector affects cell differentiation of rat cortical precursors.
No full textDicer inactivation causes heterochronic retinogenesis in Xenopus laevis
Full text linkMaturation of miRNAs by dicer is required in vertebrates for normal neural development. Here we report that dicer inactivation in Xenopus affects cell cycle progression, survival and timing of the generation of retinal cells, resulting in small retinas with lamination defects. In particular, dicer inactivation delays the exit from the cell cycle and the translation of key genes of late neurogenesis, highlighting a crucial role of miRNAs in retinal development
Evolution of highly repeated DNA within the genus Triturus (Amphibia Urodela)
No full textHighly repeated DNA is a main feature of urodele amphibian genomes. In Triturus this class of DNA consists of several sequence families differently arranged at both the molecular and the chromosomal level, showing varying degrees of conservation across species. Present data on highly repeated DNA in Triturus are here summarized and discussed with regard to the evolution and possible functional role of these sequences
PC3 gene expression affects cell proliferation in primary cell cultures of rat cerebral cortex
No full textHeterochromatic DNA in Triturus (Amphibia, Urodela) - II. A centromeric satellite DNA
No full textThe MspI family of highly repeated sequences is a centromeric satellite DNA representing about 1% of the genome of the Italian smooth newt, Triturus vulgaris meridionalis. We have studied the structure, genomic organization, chromosomal localization and conservation across species of this family. MspI sequences are around 197 bp long, as shown by sequencing of three cloned units. The family is organized in large clusters of tandemly arrayed units, present at almost all the centromeres of T.v. meridionalis, and is well conserved in the T.v. vulgaris subspecies. Conserved MspI sequences are also present in the related species T. helveticus, where they appear to be clustered at the centromeres of only a few chromosomes. MspI sequences are not found in other Triturus species analysed. The correlation of these sequences with the overall distribution pattern of heterochromatin and the extent of their conservation within the genus Triturus, are discussed
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