The RNA for the Dermo1 gene is expressed in the mouse embryo in cells that will

Question

The RNA for the Dermo1 gene is expressed in the mouse embryo in cells that will become skin (Panel A, blue). You are studying the role of another gene, ß-catenin (ß-cat) in skin development. You make a patch of cells that lacks ß-cat activity (Panel B, bracket) in one animal. In another animal you make a patch of cells that has hyperactive ß-cat (Panel C, bracket).

(a) What technique was used to determine the expression pattern of Dermo1 RNA in these animals?

(b) What is the effect of a loss of ß-cat activity on expression of Dermo1 in the skin?

(c) What is the effect of a gain of ß-cat activity on expression of Dermo1 in the skin?

(d) On the basis of these results, indicate whether ß-cat is necessary and/or sufficient for expression of Dermo1 in the skin and explain why you reach this conclusion.

Explanation / Answer

a. The experiment performed is RNA In-situ. In this technique, a complementary RNA probe is used to identify the spatial expression pattern as well as the level of a gene.
b. Image b shows that loss of ß-cat activity results in the concomitant loss of Dermo1 expression in the skin.
c. Image c shows that overexpression of ß-cat activity results in the elevated expression of Dermo1 in the skin.
d. Image b suggests that ß-cat activity necessary for Dermo 1 expression. Image c suggests that ectopic ß-cat activity is sufficient to induce elevated expression of Dermo 1 in the skin.

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