Baculovirus as a Gene Transfer Tool for Axolotl Regeneration Studies

Datum

28.03.2014

Zeit

16:00 - 17:00

Sprecher

Catarina Oliveira, Tanaka Lab, CRTD

Sprache

en

Hauptthema

Willkommen

Andere Themen

Willkommen

Host

Elly Tanaka

Beschreibung

The ability of the Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) to reconstitute a limb or spinal cord upon amputation makes it an extraordinary animal model to study the processes underlying natural regeneration. However, the lack of tools for efficient in vivo gene transfer still greatly compromises study of the molecular components involved.Here we focus on the development of a gene delivery and expression tool based on Baculovirus (Bv) technology. We show that Bv recombinants efficiently transduce in both mature and regenerating tissues of the limb and spinal cord, and that the transfected cells successfully contribute to a fully functional regenerate. Importantly, transgene expression was detected on relevant cell populations such as limb connective tissue precursors (Prrx1+) and muscle cell precursors (Pax7+), as well as in the ependymal cells of the spinal cord. To further demonstrate the suitability of our system, a Sonic Hedgehog gene-expressing Bv was developed, and its role on ectopic limb formation was investigated. Our results corroborate previous findings and further substantiate the Bv system as a valuable tool for gene function analysis in this animal model.

Links

• to announcement of the organizer

Letztmalig verändert: 28.03.2014, 09:02:05