Cdx and T Brachyury Co-activate Growth Signaling in the Embryonic Axial Progenitor Niche

Shilu Amin, Roel Neijts, Salvatore Simmini, Carina van Rooijen, Sander C Tan, Lennart Kester, Alexander van Oudenaarden, Menno P Creyghton, Jacqueline Deschamps

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In vertebrate embryos, anterior tissues are generated early, followed by the other axial structures that emerge sequentially from a posterior growth zone. The genetic network driving posterior axial elongation in mice, and its disturbance in mutants with posterior truncation, is not yet fully understood. Here, we show that the combined expression of Cdx2 and T Brachyury is essential to establish the core signature of posterior axial progenitors. Cdx2 and T Brachyury are required for extension of a similar trunk portion of the axis. Simultaneous loss of function of these two genes disrupts axial elongation to a much greater extent than each single mutation alone. We identify and validate common targets for Cdx2 and T Brachyury in vivo, including Wnt and Fgf pathway components active in the axial progenitor niche. Our data demonstrate that integration of the Cdx/Hox and T Brachyury transcriptional networks controls differential axial growth during vertebrate trunk elongation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3165-3177
Number of pages13
JournalCell Reports
Volume17
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Dec 2016

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