EXPRESSION OF GBX-2 DURING EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHICK-EMBRYO

Gbx-2 is required for the normal development of the anterior hindbrain . Since much of our understanding of the normal development of this re gion derives from studies of avian embryos, we have determined the exp ression of Gbx-2 in chick embryos at stages relevant to the regionaliz ation of the hindbrain. As the neural plate forms, transcripts already have a clear anterior limit of expression and, subsequently, occupy a domain extending from the extreme posterior midbrain to the rhombomer e 3/4 boundary. Subsequently, expression is restricted to the isthmus, a dorsal stripe of expression extending throughout the hindbrain in t he ventricular region and the cells adjacent to rhombomere boundaries. Transcripts were also detected in pharyngeal endoderm, the otic placo de and vesicle, pharyngeal arches and somites. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien ce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.