The expression of chicken NOV, a member of the CCN gene family, in early stage development

The nephroblastoma overexpressed gene, NOV, is a member of the CCN gene family. We investigated the NOV gene expression pattern in the chicken during early stage embryogenesis. Several embryonic structures showed a distinct expression pattern. The initial expression was detected in Hensen’s node (Hamburger and Hamilton stage (HH) 5). The expression was noted in the presumptive notochord and floor plate forming cells. The expression on the left side was more elongated posteriorly, a type of left–right asymmetry. Chicken NOV gene expression in the forming notochord and floor plate was observed until HH 18. The expression was also detected in the ventral area of the mesencephalon and isthmus at HH 14–16.