Analysis of engrailed mutants that specifically disrupt the embryonic PNS and CNS development. C.M. Mizutani , E. Abdelhay , R. Bruno , H. Araujo. Biologia Molecular, Univ.Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rj, Brazil.

   engrailed is a segment polarity gene expressed in particular cellular subsets of the embryonic Central Nervous System along the antero-posterior axis. Despite this data, little is known of its role during NS development. Here we have generated and analyzed a collection of hypomorphic engrailed mutants that specifically disrupt the embryonic CNS and PNS development, without disturbing segmentation. Our results support that engrailed is required for the proper development of the Peripheral Nervous System, in particular the lateral and ventral groups of cells. In the CNS, engrailed seems to be involved in establishing the posterior commissures and longitudinal connectives. In addition, our data supports that engrailed is an important component for the formation of the well-characterized aCC/pCC cell lineage and the PI and PL group of cells. Presently, we are mapping molecularly the sites of the lesions responsible for these phenotypes.