Investigating the roles of DACT and WFDC1 genes in musculoskeletal and cardiac development using chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos and cells

• Grant number: 24/17300-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Lúcia Elvira Álvares
• Grantee: Lúcia Elvira Álvares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The chicken embryo is a valuable model for investigating gene function during development, as it allows in vivo testing of the effects of genetic modifications in specific tissues. In addition, assays using primary embryonic chicken cells complement embryo studies, enabling the accelerated recapitulation of specific developmental processes. The DACT family and WFDC1 genes show dynamic expression during the development of the musculoskeletal and cardiac systems associated with WNT signaling pathways crucial for these processes. However, their specific roles have yet to be fully elucidated. This project aims to clarify the function of these genes using the chicken model. Two subprojects will focus on musculoskeletal system development, emphasizing limb formation and the establishment of neuromuscular junctions, along with a subproject focused on cardiac development and hypertrophy. These contexts were chosen due to the high incidence of musculoskeletal and cardiac malformations and cardiac hypertrophy in human populations. The function of the target genes will be investigated through gain- and loss-of-function assays in embryos and primary chicken cell cultures, followed by morphological, gene expression, and protein analyses, which will be complemented by transcriptome data analysis. The results of this project have potential applications in human health, focusing on malformations, diseases, and tissue repair. The outcomes may also contribute to developing gene and drug testing platforms for human health using chicken cells. (AU)