Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Cell and Developmental Biology Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Cell and Developmental Biology
Connexin 43 Contributes To Phenotypic Variability Of The Mouse Skull, Elizabeth Jewlal
Connexin 43 Contributes To Phenotypic Variability Of The Mouse Skull, Elizabeth Jewlal
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The purpose of this study was to determine whether connexin 43 (Cx43) contributes to craniofacial phenotypic variability. Skull shape and variation were compared within and among two heterozygous mutant mouse models (G60S/+ and I130T/+) that exhibit different levels of Cx43 channel function when compared to their wildtype counterparts (~80% and ~50% reduction in function, respectively). Results indicated mutants have significant differences in skull shape compared to wildtype littermates. Similar patterns of shape difference were found in both mutants. Increased skull shape variation and a disruption in the covariation of skull structures were observed in G60S/+ mutants only. These results show …
Examining The Tissue-Level And Gross Phenotypic Effects Of The Connexin43i130t/+ Mutation On The Developing Mouse Skull, Sommer G.E. Jarvis
Examining The Tissue-Level And Gross Phenotypic Effects Of The Connexin43i130t/+ Mutation On The Developing Mouse Skull, Sommer G.E. Jarvis
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reduced Connexin43 function on the developing skull phenotype, osteoblast and chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, and to determine if a correlation exists between cell processes and gross morphology. Using the Cx43I130T/+mouse model, skull shape was analyzed using geometric morphometrics and cell proliferation and differentiation were assessed using immunohistochemistry at late embryonic and early post-natal stages. The largest shape changes between Cx43I130T/+ and wildtype mice were observed in the cranial base and facial skeleton. Changes infacial morphology correspond to reduced osteoblast differentiation. However, no changes in chondrocyte proliferation …