Identification of chick and mouse Daam1 and Daam2 genes and their expression patterns in the central nervous system.

Genes controlling the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway have recently been described in Drosophila. Although a number of PCP-related genes were identified, it remains unknown whether the same genetic programs found in invertebrate embryos operate in vertebrate embryos, especially with regard to central nervous system development. To gain insights into the roles played by vertebrate PCP-related genes, we cloned and examined the expression patterns of chick and mouse homologues of the Xenopus Daam gene, an essential component of the PCP pathway and involved in the convergent extension movement of cells. The observed expression patterns in developing central nervous tissues suggested that vertebrate Daam genes were involved in pivotal steps in neuronal cell differentiation and movement.