qBrain-2, a POU domain gene expressed in quail embryos

We isolated a quail class III POU domain gene, qBrain-2, which was cloned f rom a cDNA library of E5 embryos. Northern blot and in situ hybridization a nalyses showed that qBrain-2 was expressed in developing central nervous sy stem and adult brain. Moreover, qBrain-2 transcripts showed a dynamic distr ibution in embryonic central nervous system. Its transcripts were dominantl y detected in the ventricular zone of the developing brain and spinal cord, but rarely in the differentiated region of mantle zone as well as the non- neuronal roof plate and floor plate. This suggests that qBrain-2 is involve d in proliferation and differentiation of the neuroepithelial cells of quai l central nervous system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.