The mouse Brachyury (T) gene

The isolation of the mouse Brachyury (T) gene has provided an important molecular tool for the investigation of mesoderm formation and axial development in vertebrates. The T gene is expressed specifically in nascent and early migrating mesoendoderm, and in notochord cells. It acts as a transcription factor controlling the differentiation of notochord cells, and the formation of mesoderm in the posterior of the embryo. Thus, mouse embryos lacking T function cannot undergo trunk nor tail formation. T plays distinct roles in the two cell types.