Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

A role for Gbx2 in repression of Otx2 and positioning the mid/hindbrain organizer

Article Abstract:

The development of the midbrain and anterior hindbrain can be directed by the mid/hindbrain (MHB) junction. Otx2 in mice is expressed in the midbrain and forebrain, while Gbx2 is expressed in the anterior hindbrain, sharing a border at the level of the MHB organizer. A new study investigates the role of Gbx2 in formation of the MHB organizer. It is shown that Gbx2 is involved in positioning the MHB organizer by repressing Otx2 at early somite stages.

Research

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The caudal limit of Otx2 expression positions the isthmic organizer

Article Abstract:

The homeobox gene Otx2 is expressed in the midbrain and forebrain and research shows that the gene is essential for the development of its expression domain. A new study investigates whether the caudal limit of Otx2 expression positions the midbrain/hindbrain junction (the isthmic organizer). The findings show that formation and positioning of the isthmus organizer depends upon the caudal expression limit of Otx2 within the neuroectoderm.

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The mouse Engrailed-1 gene and ventral limb patterning

Article Abstract:

The mouse Engrailed-1 gene is expressed in embryonic ventral limb ectoderm and is responsible for the patterning of ventral limbs. Absence of the functioning of this homeodomain-containing transcription factor leads to dorsal alterations of ventral paw structures. It also causes minor changes along the proximal-distal limb axis. Engrailed-1 partly suppresses dorsal differentiation activated by Wnt-7a gene in the dorsal limb ectoderm.

Analysis, Physiological aspects, Leg, Gene expression, Embryology, Animal embryology, Extremities, Lower

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