Expression data from the node and primitive streak (NPS) regions from WT and Wnt3a null embryos

The goal of this project was to elucidate the target genes and transcriptional networks activated by Wnt3a during gastrulation, a complex morphogenetic process in which the embryonic germ layers are formed and the vertebrate body plan is established. To identify downstream targets of Wnt3a, transcriptional profiling was performed using Affymetrix GeneChips on both wildtype and Wnt3a null embryos at embryonic days (E) 7.75-8. In order to maximize the likelihood of identifying direct target genes of Wnt3a, RNA was isolated from the node and primitive streak (NPS) region, an area where Wnt3a is highly expressed and at a time 12-18 hours before the morphological phenotype of Wnt3a mutants becomes apparent.本研究旨在解析Wnt3a在原肠胚形成（gastrulation）过程中激活的靶基因及转录调控网络。原肠胚形成是一类复杂的形态发生过程，在此期间胚胎胚层得以形成并建立脊椎动物的躯体模式。为鉴定Wnt3a的下游靶基因，本研究采用Affymetrix基因芯片（Affymetrix GeneChips），对胚胎发育第7.75至8天（E7.75-8）的野生型及Wnt3a缺失胚胎开展转录谱分析。为最大程度提升识别Wnt3a直接靶基因的概率，研究人员从原结与原条（node and primitive streak, NPS）区域分离RNA，该区域为Wnt3a高表达部位，且样本采集时间较Wnt3a突变体出现明显形态表型的时间点提前12至18小时。