Abstract
To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with development of tongue, gene expression profiles of the tongue at embryonic day 13.25 (E13.25) and 15.5 was investigated using Affymetrix Mouse GeneChip. Using the twice significance of difference as the standard, the molecular mechanisms of tongue development were studied and several pathways and networks of essential secreted signaling molecules and downstream transcription factors were identified. The significant pathways of differentially expressed genes were involved in Wnt signaling pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway, Cadherin signaling pathway, etc. Gene functional categories, particularly involved in muscle contraction, muscle organ development, cytoskeleton as well as calcium ion binding were identified. Furthermore, some of transcription factors such as Myf6, Tead4, Cebpd were activated. These data proved that E15.5 was the early differentiation and maturation stage of tongue, meanwhile, cytoskeleton, structural constituent of cytoskeleton, transcription factor activity, calcium ion related activity were involved in cell motion, muscle organ development and muscle contraction, through transcription factors and the interaction of Wnt pathway with Hedgehog pathway. It had highlighted potential cascades and important candidates for further investigation on the genetic mechanism and clinical therapy of tongue related diseases.
