Tissue specific characterisation of Lim-kinase 1 expression during mouse embryogenesis

Nils O Lindström, Carlos Neves, Rebecca McIntosh, Zofia Helena Miedzybrodzka, Neil Vargesson, J Martin Collinson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Lim-kinase (LIMK) proteins are important for the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, in particular the control of actin nucleation and depolymerisation via regulation of cofilin, and hence may control for a large number of processes during development, including cell tensegrity, migration, cell cycling, and axon guidance. LIMK1/LIMK2 knockouts disrupt spinal cord morphogenesis and synapse formation but other tissues and developmental processes that require LIMK are yet to be fully determined. To identify tissues and cell types that may require LIMK, we characterised the pattern of LIMK1 protein during mouse embryogenesis. We showed that LIMK1 displays an expression pattern that is temporally dynamic and tissue-specific. In several tissues LIMK1 is detected in cell-types that also express Wilms' tumour protein 1 and that undergo transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states, including the pleura, epicardium, kidney nephrons, and gonads. LIMK1 was also found in a subset of cells in the dorsal retina, and in mesenchymal cells surrounding the peripheral nerves. This detailed study of the spatial and temporal expression of LIMK1 shows that LIMK1 expression is more dynamic than previously reported, in particular at sites of tissue-tissue interactions guiding multiple developmental processes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-232
Number of pages12
JournalGene Expression Patterns
Volume11
Issue number3-4
Early online date16 Dec 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2011

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tissue specific characterisation of Lim-kinase 1 expression during mouse embryogenesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this