Dystroglycan (XDG): encodes a cell surface glycoprotein which binds to the extracellular matrix (e.g., laminin, perlecan), helping assemble and maintain the basement membrance. Dystroglycan expression was initially detected in the notochord and subsequently in the developing brain, otic vesicle, visceral arches, pharyngeal endoderm, pronephros and associated ducts, somites and proctodaeum. Dystroglycan has been implicated in muscular dystrophy.

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Dorsal view of stage-12.5 embryo showing anterior expression. Scale = 250 um	Dorsal view of stage-15 embryo. XDG transcripts are seen in the anterior third and notochord (arrowheads). Scale = 250 um	Inside view of stage 19 showing XDG expression at anterior and in notochord (arrowhead). Scale = 250 um	Lateral view of stage 22. Scale = 500 um

Transverse section through stage-22 embryo. ar, archenteron; arrowheads, dermatome; arrow, notochord. Scale = 130 um	Serial transverse sections, stage 27. me, mesencephalon; opv, optic vesicles; p, pronephros; ph, pharynx; s, somites; sc, spinal cord; arrowheads, notochord (white) and hyoid arch (black). Scale = 130 um (h,i) / 80 um (j)
Lateral view of stage 27. ov, otic vesicle; pd, pronephric duct. Scale = 550 um	Lateral view of stage 33/34 showing prominent XDG expression in the three visceral arches and otic vesicle (ov). Scale = 550 um