Project description:The aim of the approach was to use RNAseq analysis to identify genes expressed in Xenopus epicardium that were affected by embryonic depletion of the epicardial transcription factor Tcf21 compared to control-MO injected siblings. Both upregulated and downregulated genes were validated by RT-PCR and whole embryo in situ hybridization to validate gene expression and assess spatio-temporal distribution of genes of interest within the heart and epicardium. Approximately 70-100 stage 44-46 Xenopus laevis hearts were dissected to isolate total mRNA from which poly-adenylated RNA was extracted using the Illumina standard protocol. This experiment represents one replicate from pooled hearts. mRNA profiles of stage 44-45 Xenopus laevis sibling hearts from control or Tcf21-depleted embryos, were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina GAII.
Project description:It was shown that neil2 is required for neural crest development in Xenopus (Schomacher et al. 2016; doi:10.1038/nsmb.3151). To gain further insights into the underlying molecular mechanism leading to neural crest defects and microcephaly in neil2 Morpholino injected Xenopus embryos, we performed RNA-seq transcriptome analysis of neil2 Morpholino versus control Morpholino injected embryos.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Xenopus laevis embryos and ectoderm (animal caps) comparing embryos injected with control morpholino with embryos injected with the morpholino mixture PVD2, which knocks down all three Xenopus PouV proteins. Whole embryos (WE) or animal caps (AC) were collected at late blastula (9) or early gastrula (10) stages from Control and PVD2 morphants.