Expression of cVg1 mRNA during chicken embryonic development

Using degenerated PCR‐primers to identify known and novel BMPs that are expressed in the developing chicken heart, we identified not only BMP2, ‐4, and ‐7 mRNA, but also the TGFβ superfamily member cVg1. The expression pattern of cVg1 mRNA was determined during chicken development from HH4 to HH44. In early developmental stages, cVg1 mRNA is expressed in the primitive streak, paraxial mesoderm, developing somites, and developing neural tube. Subsequently, cVg1 mRNA is expressed in the developing central and peripheral nervous system, retina, auditory vesicle, notochord, lung alveoli, and olfactory mucosa. In the heart, cVg1 is initially expressed through the linear heart tube, but becomes restricted to the forming chamber myocardium, in an expression domain similar to that of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNA. Anat Rec Part A 273A:603–608, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.