Targeting gene expression in the mouse somite: Adenovirus-mediated gene delivery and whole embryo culture

We report here a novel approach to direct gene expression in the mouse somite based on the combined application of adenovirus-mediated gene delivery and whole embryo ex vivo culture. As proof of principle, we show functional analysis of somites microinjected with an engineered virus expressing an activated form of Smoothened, the signaling receptor for Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). As adenovirus can infect many embryonic tissues in the mouse, this method may provide an effective alternative to conventional transgenesis for targeted spatial and temporal gene expression. genesis (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.