The T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin is essential for AVE induction in the mouse embryo

Genes Dev. 2013 May 1;27(9):997-1002. doi: 10.1101/gad.215152.113.

Abstract

Reciprocal inductive interactions between the embryonic and extraembryonic tissues establish the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of the early mouse embryo. The anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) signaling center emerges at the distal tip of the embryo at embryonic day 5.5 and translocates to the prospective anterior side of the embryo. The process of AVE induction and migration are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the T-box gene Eomesodermin (Eomes) plays an essential role in AVE recruitment, in part by directly activating the homeobox transcription factor Lhx1. Thus, Eomes function in the visceral endoderm (VE) initiates an instructive transcriptional program controlling AP identity.

Keywords: AVE; DVE Lhx1; Eomesodermin; Tbr2; axis formation; visceral endoderm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Endoderm / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Eomes protein, mouse
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Lhx1 protein, mouse
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors