The Role of FGFR4 in Trigeminal Placode Cell Development

<p>In vertebrate embryos, the ophthalmic trigeminal (opV) placode contributes sensory neurons to the trigeminal ganglion during development of the peripheral nervous system. FGFR4 is expressed transiently in the trigeminal placode as cells undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition and begin to migrate toward the condensing ganglion. Because of the restricted spatiotemporal expression of FGFR4 in the opV placode, it was hypothesized that FGFR4 is necessary for the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the opV placode. Using electroporation, an FGFR4 inhibitory gene construct was introduced into 6—10 somite stage chick embryos. This secreted inhibitory form of the FGFR4 gene blocked endogenous FGFR4 signaling, which resulted in trigeminal placode cells remaining in the ectoderm that would have normally begun migration into the mesenchyme. These results show that FGFR4 is involved in trigeminal placode cell delamination.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Reynolds, Stephanie Beth

• trigeminal placode
• chicken
• FGFR4
• development
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Physiology

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/390

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-1389