Gene expression profiling during the embryonic development of mouse brain using an oligonucleotide-based microarray system

We analyzed gene expression profiles in embryonic day 12, 15, 18 and postnatal day 0 mouse brains by utilizing a GeneChip microarray. Significant differential expression was observed in 1413 of 12,422 (11.4%) represented on the chip. Then, 397 genes known to be related to neural development and functions were selected and analyzed in more detail. Clustering of the differentially expressed genes in terms of gene function and their temporal expression patterns indicated an aspect of the genetic foundation that underlies cellular events. Moreover, we identified a novel gene that encodes a putative protein kinase, Ebr kinase, which is differentially expressed in the developing brain.