Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Knockdown of alpha myosin heavy chain disrupts the cytoskeleton and leads to multiple defects during chick cardiogenesis

Rutland, Catrin; Warner, Louise; Thorpe, Aaran; Alibhai, Aziza; Robinson, Thelma; Shaw, Barry; Layfield, Robert; Brook, David J.; Loughna, Siobhan

Authors

CATRIN RUTLAND CATRIN.RUTLAND@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Molecular Medicine

Louise Warner

Aaran Thorpe

Aziza Alibhai

Thelma Robinson

Barry Shaw

ROBERT LAYFIELD ROBERT.LAYFIELD@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Protein Biochemistry

DAVID BROOK david.brook@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Human Genetics



Abstract

Atrial septal defects are a common congenital heart defect in humans. Although mutations in different genes are now frequently being described, little is known about the processes and mechanisms behind the early stages of atrial septal development. By utilizing morpholino-induced knockdown in the chick we have analysed the role of alpha myosin heavy chain during early cardiogenesis in a temporal manner. Upon knockdown of alpha myosin heavy chain, three different phenotypes of the atrial septum were observed: (1) the atrial septum failed to initiate, (2) the septum was initiated but was growth restricted, or (3) incorrect specification occurred resulting in multiple septa forming. In addition, at a lower frequency, decreased alpha myosin heavy chain was found to give rise to an abnormally looped heart or an enlarged heart. Staining of the actin cytoskeleton indicated that many of the myofibrils in the knockdown hearts were not as mature as those observed in the controls, suggesting a mechanism for the defects seen. Therefore, these data suggest a role for alpha myosin heavy chain in modelling of the early heart and the range of defects to the atrial septum suggest roles in its initiation, specification and growth during development. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Citation

Rutland, C., Warner, L., Thorpe, A., Alibhai, A., Robinson, T., Shaw, B., …Loughna, S. (2009). Knockdown of alpha myosin heavy chain disrupts the cytoskeleton and leads to multiple defects during chick cardiogenesis. Journal of Anatomy, 214(6), 905-915. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01079.x

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 6, 2009
Online Publication Date May 22, 2009
Publication Date 2009-06
Deposit Date Jul 12, 2022
Journal Journal of Anatomy
Print ISSN 0021-8782
Electronic ISSN 1469-7580
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 214
Issue 6
Pages 905-915
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01079.x
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3107304
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01079.x