Transgenic Hydra allow in vivo tracking of individual stem cells during morphogenesis

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Apr 18;103(16):6208-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0510163103. Epub 2006 Mar 23.

Abstract

Understanding the evolution of development in large part relies on the study of phylogenetically old organisms. Cnidarians, such as Hydra, have become attractive model organisms for these studies. However, despite long-term efforts, stably transgenic animals could not be generated, severely limiting the functional analysis of genes. Here we report the efficient generation of transgenic Hydra lines by embryo microinjection. One of these transgenic lines expressing EGFP revealed remarkably high motility of individual endodermal epithelial cells during morphogenesis. We expect that transgenic Hydra will become important tools to dissect the molecular mechanisms of development at the base of the Metazoan tree.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endoderm / chemistry
  • Endoderm / cytology
  • Endoderm / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Hydra / cytology*
  • Hydra / embryology*
  • Hydra / genetics
  • Morphogenesis* / genetics
  • Stem Cells / chemistry
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / physiology

Substances

  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins