Compatability of Human Nkx2.1 in the Xenopus Model as Shown by the Expression of Sftpc, Sox2, Ptf1a, and Tbx-4.
Department
Biological Sciences
Advisor
Brian Hyatt
Document Type
Event
Version
Metadata Only
Abstract
Nkx2.1 gene is part of the nkx2 gene cluster with transcription factors binding to homeobox 1. Nkx2.1 is directly involved in the formation of respiratory tissue and the thalamus, but is part of a diverse panel of transcription factors that establish the progenitor cells for many of the mature organs in the early stages of xenopus development. Sftpc, sox2, ptf1a, and tbx-4 are all genes that are involved in early oraganogenosis. Upregulation of nkx2.1 has been correlated with changes in the expression of each of those four genes through mechanisms that are not well understood. Xenopus nkx2.1 has a very close homologue in the human nkx2.1 gene and since xenopus is used as a common model species for human development and disease modeling it is valuable to investigate how the supplementation of human nkx2.1 trascription factor affects the expression of genes correlated with xenopus nkx2.1. Microinjections of human nkx2.1 gene were given to xenopus blastula at the 8 cells stage which were then fixed with antisense probes through in situ hybridization at nf stage 38 and examined with BM purple stain. Ectopic expression was observed in 25% of embryos assayed for sftpc, 80% of embryos assayed for sox2, and indeterminate results for embryos assayed for both ptf1a and tbx-4.
Recommended Citation
Olsen, Cullen and Hyatt, Brian, "Compatability of Human Nkx2.1 in the Xenopus Model as Shown by the Expression of Sftpc, Sox2, Ptf1a, and Tbx-4." (2024). Science Symposium. 28.
https://spark.bethel.edu/science_symposium/spring2024/schedule2024/28
Compatability of Human Nkx2.1 in the Xenopus Model as Shown by the Expression of Sftpc, Sox2, Ptf1a, and Tbx-4.
Nkx2.1 gene is part of the nkx2 gene cluster with transcription factors binding to homeobox 1. Nkx2.1 is directly involved in the formation of respiratory tissue and the thalamus, but is part of a diverse panel of transcription factors that establish the progenitor cells for many of the mature organs in the early stages of xenopus development. Sftpc, sox2, ptf1a, and tbx-4 are all genes that are involved in early oraganogenosis. Upregulation of nkx2.1 has been correlated with changes in the expression of each of those four genes through mechanisms that are not well understood. Xenopus nkx2.1 has a very close homologue in the human nkx2.1 gene and since xenopus is used as a common model species for human development and disease modeling it is valuable to investigate how the supplementation of human nkx2.1 trascription factor affects the expression of genes correlated with xenopus nkx2.1. Microinjections of human nkx2.1 gene were given to xenopus blastula at the 8 cells stage which were then fixed with antisense probes through in situ hybridization at nf stage 38 and examined with BM purple stain. Ectopic expression was observed in 25% of embryos assayed for sftpc, 80% of embryos assayed for sox2, and indeterminate results for embryos assayed for both ptf1a and tbx-4.