Gata2 and Gata3: novel markers for early embryonic polarity and for nonneural ectoderm in the chick embryo

We have investigated in detail the expression patterns of two Gata genes, c Gata2 and cGata3, during early chick development. In addition to confirming previously described expression of these two genes in developing brain, ki dney and blood islands, this study reveals several important novel expressi on domains during very early stages of development. cGata2 is expressed in the area opaca in pre-primitive streak stages, forming a gradient along the A-P axis (strongest anteriorly). Both genes are expressed strongly in the entire non-neural ectoderm, from stage 4+, and neither is expressed in pros pective neural plate at any stage. Unlike other previously described non-ne ural markers, neither gene is expressed in the dorsal neural tube. We also describe dynamic expression of cGata2 and cGata3 during eye, ear and gut de velopment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.