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(387) CHARACTERIZING GENE EXPRESSION IN THE MURINE EMBRYONIC GONAD. Small, Christopher1, Shima, James1, Uzumcu, Mehmet2, Skinner, Michael1, Griswold, Michael1, 1 Washington State University, Pullman, WA2 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ ABSTRACT- The application of microarray technology to the study of complex tissue enabled the generation of a temporal profile of gene expression within the developing gonad of the male and female murine embryo. Gonad tissue was collected from BL/6-129 mouse embryos at 11.5 dpc, 12.5 dpc, 14.5 dpc, 16.5 dpc and 18.5 dpc and total RNA was isolated for use in microarray analysis. The Affymetrix MGU74v2 array set was used to profile approximately 36,000 transcripts during the course of gonad differentiation. At 11.5 dpc the gonad is indifferent then undergoes the transition to a male or female phenotype that is apparent by 12.5 dpc. This is a period of dramatic, differential expression of many genes including those previously reported to be involved in sex determination such as SRY, DAX-1 (NROB1), WNT4, EMX2, SOX9 and WT1. Various novel genes specific to the male and female gonad were also identified during this time period. Following the establishment of a gender phenotype, a new wave of transcriptional activity began at 14.5 dpc and proceeded through 18.5 dpc and birth. Although this has been regarded as a period of relative quiescence with respect to gonad differentiation, the abundance of genes being expressed indicates a major series of events occurring just prior to parturition and possibly a set of secondary, supplemental events leading to complete embryonic gonad differentiation. With this study, the expression of a large number of genes can be examined throughout the major periods of development in the embryonic gonad and allow for a more complete description of gonadal maturation. KEY WORDS: embryo , microarray, gene expression |
