Molecular migration control of myoblasts in the avian embryo

• Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Beate Brand-Saberi
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Zellbiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 1998 bis 2008
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 5110186

The invasion of the limb buds by myogenic precursor cells from the somites is a multistep process controlled by one molecule that exerts several functions: SF/HGF. SF/HGF recruits precursor cells from the somites by deepithelialization of the dermomyotomes, keeps migrating cells motile and inhibits their differentiation. The distribution of muscle precursor cells is regulated by the expression control of Sf/Hgf which in turn depends on signals from the AER and the ZPA. We intend to analyze the effect of local signaling on the expression of the transcription factors Lbx1, Paraxis and Pitx2. Moreover, we want to identify and characterize so far unknown genes of myogenic precursor cells regarding their role in migration. The transmembrane protein LIG-1 will be studied in the chick. The migration and proliferation behaviour of single cells from somites and from the QM7 cell line grafted into the limb bud will be investigated by means of GFP-contructs. Lbx1 -/- cells will be grafted into the chick embryo to test their migratory potential. The studies will be complemented by in vitro studies involving somitic cells and QM7 cells exposed to different signalling molecules.

• DFG-Verfahren: Schwerpunktprogramme
• Teilprojekt zu: SPP 1049: Molekulare Steuerungsmechanismen der Zellwanderung