Faculty Research 1990 - 1999

Goosecoid is not an essential component of the mouse gastrula organizer but is required for craniofacial and rib development.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1995

First Page

3005

Last Page

3012

JAX Source

Development 1995 Sep;121(9):3005-12

Grant

HD31155/HD/NICHD

Abstract

Goosecoid (gsc) is an evolutionarily conserved homeobox gene expressed in the gastrula organizer region of a variety of vertebrate embryos, including zebrafish, Xenopus, chicken and mouse. To understand the role of gsc during mouse embryogenesis, we generated gsc-null mice by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Surprisingly, gsc-null embryos gastrulated and formed the primary body axes; gsc-null mice were born alive but died soon after birth with numerous craniofacial defects. In addition, rib fusions and sternum abnormalities were detected that varied depending upon the genetic background. Transplantation experiments suggest that the ovary does not provide gsc function to rescue gastrulation defects. These results demonstrate that gsc is not essential for organizer activity in the mouse but is required later during embryogenesis for craniofacial and rib cage development.

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