{"title":"The cerberus-related gene, Cerr1, is not essential for mouse head formation.","authors":"W Shawlot, J Min Deng, M Wakamiya, R R Behringer","doi":"","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Xenopus cerberus gene encodes a secreted factor expressed in the Spemann organizer that can cause ectopic head formation when its mRNA is injected into Xenopus embryos. In mouse, the cerberus-related gene, Cerr1, is expressed in the anterior mesendoderm that underlies the presumptive anterior neural plate and its expression is downregulated in Lim1 headless embryos. To determine whether Cerr1 is required for head formation we generated a null mutation in Cerr1 by gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells. We found that head formation is normal in Cerr1(-/-) embryos and we detected no obvious phenotypic defects in adult Cerr1(-/-) mice. However, in embryonic tissue layer recombination assays, Cerr1(-/-) presomitic/somitic mesoderm, unlike Cerr1-expressing wild-type presomitic/somitic mesoderm, was unable to maintain expression of the anterior neural marker gene Otx2 in ectoderm explants. These findings suggest that establishment of anterior identity in the mouse may involve the action of multiple functionally redundant factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":48923,"journal":{"name":"Genesis","volume":"26 4","pages":"253-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2000-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Genesis","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The Xenopus cerberus gene encodes a secreted factor expressed in the Spemann organizer that can cause ectopic head formation when its mRNA is injected into Xenopus embryos. In mouse, the cerberus-related gene, Cerr1, is expressed in the anterior mesendoderm that underlies the presumptive anterior neural plate and its expression is downregulated in Lim1 headless embryos. To determine whether Cerr1 is required for head formation we generated a null mutation in Cerr1 by gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells. We found that head formation is normal in Cerr1(-/-) embryos and we detected no obvious phenotypic defects in adult Cerr1(-/-) mice. However, in embryonic tissue layer recombination assays, Cerr1(-/-) presomitic/somitic mesoderm, unlike Cerr1-expressing wild-type presomitic/somitic mesoderm, was unable to maintain expression of the anterior neural marker gene Otx2 in ectoderm explants. These findings suggest that establishment of anterior identity in the mouse may involve the action of multiple functionally redundant factors.
期刊介绍：
As of January 2000, Developmental Genetics was renamed and relaunched as genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development, with a new scope and Editorial Board. The journal focuses on work that addresses the genetics of development and the fundamental mechanisms of embryological processes in animals and plants. With increased awareness of the interplay between genetics and evolutionary change, particularly during developmental processes, we encourage submission of manuscripts from all ecological niches. The expanded numbers of genomes for which sequencing is being completed will facilitate genetic and genomic examination of developmental issues, even if the model system does not fit the “classical genetic” mold. Therefore, we encourage submission of manuscripts from all species. Other areas of particular interest include: 1) the roles of epigenetics, microRNAs and environment on developmental processes; 2) genome-wide studies; 3) novel imaging techniques for the study of gene expression and cellular function; 4) comparative genetics and genomics and 5) animal models of human genetic and developmental disorders.
genesis presents reviews, full research articles, short research letters, and state-of-the-art technology reports that promote an understanding of the function of genes and the roles they play in complex developmental processes.
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