RNA profiling of putative amnion markers in mouse extraembryonic tissues by RT-qPCR. (a)–(b) Validation of microdissected amniotic membrane tissues collected at different stages of development by relative RNA expression analysis of markers for (a) nonneural ectoderm (Ap-2) and allantois (Tbx4) and (b) primitive red blood cells (ζ-globin) and yolk sac endoderm (Afp). (c)–(e) Expression analysis of acknowledged target genes of SMAD-mediated BMP signaling (Tbx2, Tbx5, Hand1, Hand2, Msx1, Msx2) and (f) Postn, in extraembryonic tissues. Relative RNA levels were obtained by setting the sample with lowest expression for each target to 1. The expression of different targets cannot be directly compared. Abbreviations: Am: amnion; Al: allantois; YS: yolk sac.
