The forkhead genes, Foxc1 and Foxc2, regulate paraxial versus intermediate mesoderm cell fate.
During vertebrate embryogenesis, the newly formed mesoderm is allocated to the paraxial, intermediate, and lateral domains, each giving rise to different cell and tissue types. Here, we provide evidence that the forkhead genes, Foxc1 and Foxc2, play a role in the specification of mesoderm to paraxial versus intermediate fates. Mouse embryos lacking both Foxc1 and Foxc2 show expansion of intermediate mesoderm markers into the paraxial domain, lateralization of somite patterning, and ectopic and disorganized mesonephric tubules. In gain of function studies in the chick embryo, Foxc1 and Foxc2 negatively regulate intermediate mesoderm formation. By contrast, their misexpression in the prospective intermediate mesoderm appears to drive cells to acquire paraxial fate, as revealed by expression of the somite markers Pax7 and Paraxis. Taken together, the data indicate that Foxc1 and Foxc2 regulate the establishment of paraxial versus intermediate mesoderm cell fates in the vertebrate embryo.
Duke Scholars
Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Transcription Factors
- Somites
- PAX7 Transcription Factor
- Mice
- Mesoderm
- In Situ Hybridization
- Immunohistochemistry
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Forkhead Transcription Factors
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Transcription Factors
- Somites
- PAX7 Transcription Factor
- Mice
- Mesoderm
- In Situ Hybridization
- Immunohistochemistry
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Forkhead Transcription Factors