The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Int. J. Dev. Biol. 51: 161 - 165 (2007)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.062185jh

Vol 51, Issue 2

Expression of Bmp ligands and receptors in the developing Xenopus retina

Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 1 February 2007

Jennifer C. Hocking and Sarah McFarlane*

University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada.

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) act repeatedly in the development of nervous system tissues. While BMP signaling is critical for the early growth and patterning of the eye, we are interested in possible later functions of BMPs in the morphological development of retinal neurons and formation of synaptic connections. Therefore, we conducted an in situ hybridization analysis of the mRNA expression for the ligands Bmp2, -4 and 7 and the type Ia, Ib and II receptors (BmprIa, BmprIb and BmprII) during development of the retina of Xenopus laevis. Bmp4 mRNA is expressed in the dorsal retina and Bmp7 in the distal peripheral retina during the period of cell differentiation, while Bmp2 is not present in the eye. The type I receptors are expressed predominantly ventrally, from the optic vesicle stage until at least stage 35/36, after most cells have differentiated and many synaptic connections have formed. BmprII mRNA, however, is distributed evenly across the dorsoventral axis, with highest expression in retinal ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers.

Keywords

ALK3, ALK6, BMP, Xenopus, retinal development

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