ISSN:
0192-253X
Keywords:
Gene trap
;
lacZ reporter
;
gastrulation
;
cordon-bleu
;
node
;
mouse axis formation
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Genetics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
We have used a gene trap (GT) vector and embryonic stem (ES) cell chimeras to screen for insertions of the lacZ reporter gene into transcription units that are spatially and temporally regulated during early mouse embryogenesis. GT vectors which can act as both a reporter and a mutagen have been previously used to isolate new genes that are essential for mouse development. In this paper we describe a GT insertion which displays a very restricted pattern of expression in the gastrulating embryo. β-Galactosidase activity was first detected at 7.5 days post-coitum (E7.5) in the node region of the embryo and extended to the midline structures at E8.0. At E9.5 expression was restricted to the floor plate, the notochord, the roof of the gut, and the liver anlage. Expression appeared in the somites at E10.0 and later became more widespread. We used rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) to clone a partial 360 base pair (bp) cDNA representing an endogenous sequence and containing an open reading frame (ORF) fused in frame to the lacZ reporter gene. The sequence showed no homology to any known protein or protein domain. An overlapping 1,200 bp fragment from a wild-type cDNA library was cloned and it detected the same pattern of expression as the reporter gene in E7.5, E8.5, and E9.5 wild-type embryos. It hybridized to a 5.4 kb lacZ fusion transcript and to an endogenous transcript of 6.5 kb. The gene was mapped to chromosome 11 and was named cordon-bleu (cobl). No phenotype was detected in mice homozygous for the insertion. However, the insertion may not cause a complete disruption of the gene function. The pattern of expression of cobl is very similar to that of hepatic nuclear factor 3β (HNF3β) and sonic hedgehog (Shh), both of which are involved in axial patterning. Therefore, the product of the cobl gene may also prove to be an important component of the genetic pathway regulating vertebrate axis formation. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvg.1020170206
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