Cdx and Hox genes differentially regulate posterior axial growth in mammalian embryos.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cdx and Hox genes differentially regulate posterior axial growth in mammalian embryos.

AU - Young, T.

AU - Rowland, J.E.

AU - van de Ven, C.

AU - Bialecka, M.

AU - Novoa, A.

AU - Carapuco, M.

AU - van Nes, J.

AU - de Graaff, W.G.A.J.

AU - Duluc, I.

AU - Freund, J.N.

AU - Beck, F.

AU - Mallo, M.

AU - Deschamps, J.

N1 - Reporting year: 2009

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Hox and Cdx transcription factors regulate embryonic positional identities. Cdx mutant mice display posterior body truncations of the axial skeleton, neuraxis, and caudal urorectal structures. We show that trunk Hox genes stimulate axial extension, as they can largely rescue these Cdx mutant phenotypes. Conversely, posterior (paralog group 13) Hox genes can prematurely arrest posterior axial growth when precociously expressed. Our data suggest that the transition from trunk to tail Hox gene expression successively regulates the construction and termination of axial structures in the mouse embryo. Thus, Hox genes seem to differentially orchestrate posterior expansion of embryonic tissues during axial morphogenesis as an integral part of their function in specifying head-to-tail identity. In addition, we present evidence that Cdx and Hox transcription factors exert these effects by controlling Wnt signaling. Concomitant regulation of Cyp26a1 expression, restraining retinoic acid signaling away from the posterior growth zone, may likewise play a role in timing the trunk-tail transition.

AB - Hox and Cdx transcription factors regulate embryonic positional identities. Cdx mutant mice display posterior body truncations of the axial skeleton, neuraxis, and caudal urorectal structures. We show that trunk Hox genes stimulate axial extension, as they can largely rescue these Cdx mutant phenotypes. Conversely, posterior (paralog group 13) Hox genes can prematurely arrest posterior axial growth when precociously expressed. Our data suggest that the transition from trunk to tail Hox gene expression successively regulates the construction and termination of axial structures in the mouse embryo. Thus, Hox genes seem to differentially orchestrate posterior expansion of embryonic tissues during axial morphogenesis as an integral part of their function in specifying head-to-tail identity. In addition, we present evidence that Cdx and Hox transcription factors exert these effects by controlling Wnt signaling. Concomitant regulation of Cyp26a1 expression, restraining retinoic acid signaling away from the posterior growth zone, may likewise play a role in timing the trunk-tail transition.

U2 - 10.1016/j.devcel.2009.08.010

DO - 10.1016/j.devcel.2009.08.010

M3 - Article

SN - 1534-5807

VL - 17

SP - 516

EP - 526

JO - Developmental Cell

JF - Developmental Cell

IS - 4

ER -