Expression profiles of novel thyroid hormone-responsive genes and proteins in the tail of Xenopus laevis tadpoles undergoing precocious metamorphosis

Mol Endocrinol. 2003 Jul;17(7):1395-409. doi: 10.1210/me.2002-0274. Epub 2003 Apr 10.

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (THs) are critical for the growth, development, and homeostasis of many organisms and are necessary for metamorphosis of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. TH-induced metamorphosis requires alterations in the transcriptome and the proteome. However, only a few of the molecular components of this developmental program have been identified and their interrelationship remains unclear. Using a cDNA array comprised of 420 known anuran genes and quantitative PCR, we have identified 93 TH-responsive genes in the tail of premetamorphic tadpoles after exogenous administration of T3. Fifty-three of these mRNA transcripts have not previously been characterized as TH responsive in any species. The gene expression profiles show distinctive temporal patterns with most transcript steady-state levels increasing after induction of metamorphosis. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of total protein extracts from the tail shows changes in steady-state levels of many proteins after T3 treatment. Of the up-regulated proteins, 10 were identified by peptide mass mapping. These data identify potential components involved in the regulation of Xenopus tail regression by T3 and begin to address a critical question regarding the interrelationship between the transcriptome and the proteome in TH-dependent developmental processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects*
  • Larva
  • Metallothionein / drug effects
  • Metallothionein / genetics
  • Metamorphosis, Biological / genetics*
  • Multigene Family
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / drug effects
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / genetics
  • Tail
  • Thyroid Hormones / pharmacology*
  • Thyroid Hormones / physiology
  • Triiodothyronine / pharmacology
  • Xenopus laevis / genetics*
  • Xenopus laevis / growth & development

Substances

  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Triiodothyronine
  • Metallothionein