International Mammalian Genome Society

The 15th International Mouse Genome Conference (2001)

Table of Contents * Complex Genetics * Developmental Genetics * Gene Annotation * Gene Discovery * Genome Sequencing * Functional Genomics * Mutagenesis * Presentations * Verne Chapman Memorial Lecture

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POSTER 93 - VEZATIN, A NOVEL TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEIN, THAT BRIDGES MYOSIN VIIA TO THE CADHERIN-CATENINS COMPLEX : EXPRESSION PATTERN DURING EARLY MOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Dr Marie-Christine Simmler
CNRS/UMR955 INRA
Ecole vétérinaire d'Alfort
7 avenue du général de Gaulle
Maisons-Alfort 94704
France

Co-Authors: 1)Daric V, 2)El-Amraoui A, 1)Guillaud L, 1)Panthier JJ, 2)Petit C, 1)Simmler MC
Institutions: 1) UMR955 INRA, Ecole vétérinaire d'Alfort.  2) URA1968 CNRS, Institut Pasteur

Early embryonic stages in the mouse are potential models for studying the role of cell adhesion molecules in polarised epithelium formation, during development. The compaction of the embryo is known to be mediated by cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and catenins. It involves the actin cytoskeleton and requires the proper assembly of cell junctions. Cell adhesion molecules are also essential for the trophectoderm epithelium formation which represents the first visible differentiation process during mouse pre-implantation embryonic development. In vitro, embryonic stem (ES) cells are cells that may be differentiated to organized structures known as embryoid bodies (EBs) containing an outer endodermal layer and an inner ectodermal layer, separated by a basal lamina. These cells are polarized with microvilli on the apical membrane, a basement membrane underlying  the epithelial cell layer. Vezatin, recently identified as a ligand to myosin VIIA, is an ubiquitous component of adherens cell-cell junctions, interacting with the cadherin-catenins complex (Kussel-Andermann, El-Amraoui et al, EMBO J, 2000).  We will report work in progress towards describing Vezatin expression pattern in both very early embryonic stages and during the formation of EBs. In parallel, an approach using gene targeting and/or conditional gene targeting is being