About the Cover

Whole mount in situ hybridization of Hydra matrix metalloproteinase and one of its substrates,laminin.The left picture shows the expression pattern of Hydra laminin mRNA for the alpha-1 subunit and the picture on the right shows the expression pattern of Hydra matrix metalloproteinase. For both transcripts,relatively higher levels of expression are observed at regions where cell transdifferentiation occures(base of tentacles and foot process).This reflects the fundamental relationship of ECM biogenesis and turnover to celldifferentiation and morphogenetic processes in Hydra.In the case of Hydra matrix metalloproteinase ,patches of higher expression are also seen in the body column at positions where buds will evaginate.See review by Michael P.Sarras Jr et al on page 163 of this issue.

copyright©2006 Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology,SIBS,CAS

  ISSN:1001-0602(Print),1748-7838(Online);CN:31-1568
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