We recently received a fax from Vincent Laudet of the Unite
d'oncologie moleculaire, Institut Pasteur de Lille, CNRS,
France. He writes:
"We are studying the evolution of thyroid hormone receptors
(TR). Since thyroid hormones are implicated in amphibian
metamorphosis we have searched by PCR amplification the two
genes for thyroid hormone receptors TRalpha and TRbeta in
neotenic amphibians. We do find TRalpha and TRbeta in both
Ambystoma mexicanum and Ambystoma tigrinum, but we repeatedly
failed to amplify these genes in the obligatory neotenic
mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus). To substantiate a little this
intriguing observation we need living Necturus in order to
make some in vivo work and to construct genomic and cDNA
libraries. Jacques Charlemagne told me that you could help us
in this occasion to give us names and addresses of
researchers who have these animals. Is it possible to
maintain Necturus in aquariums?
Finally, we have TRalpha and beta probes of Ambystoma
mexicanum and tigrinum. I you know some people interested in
the in vivo study of TRalpha and beta in Ambystoma we would
be glad to send them these probes."
Dr Laudet's fax number is 33 20 87 79 08. His phone number is
33 20 87 78 79.
If anyone would like to respond to his message, please
contact him directly.
______________________________________________________________
Susan T. Duhon Indiana University Axolotl Colony
Phone 812-855-8260 Jordan Hall 407
Fax 812-855-6705 Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
email duhon at indiana.edu
