Here we describe characterization of chicken neuronal Per-Arnt-Sim domain 3 (NPAS3) gene during embryogenesis including examinations of expression pattern and function of the gene. RTPCR assay showed that the primary tissue of expression for this gene is the central nervous system (CNS) while RNA in situ hybridization assay confirmed that NPAS3 was expressed in the ventricular zone of developing neural tube as early as Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stage 20. Ectopic over-expression of the gene in ovo in the developing chicken neural tube by electroporation had little effect on stem cell population, overall neurogenesis, and motor neuron differentiation. We discuss the implications of our observation.

Keywords: NPAS3, CNS, neural tube, chicken, in ovo electroporation