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Hindbrain patterning: Krox20 couples segmentation and specification of regional identity
O Voiculescu1, E Taillebourg, C Pujades
1Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire du Développement, INSERM U368, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 05, France.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|December 19, 2001
Summary
Krox20 gene is crucial for hindbrain segmentation. Its absence causes cells in odd-numbered rhombomeres (r3, r5) to adopt even-numbered identities, disrupting hindbrain development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Krox20 gene expression defines specific hindbrain segments (rhombomeres 3 and 5).
- Inactivation of Krox20 leads to the loss of these segmental expression territories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fate of prospective rhombomere 3 and 5 cells in Krox20 mutant embryos.
- To understand the role of Krox20 in hindbrain segmentation, cell fate, and identity specification.
Main Methods:
- Genetic fate mapping in Krox20 mutant embryos.
- Analysis of molecular markers for even-numbered rhombomeres.
- Study of embryonic chimeras between Krox20 mutant and wild-type cells.
Main Results:
- Krox20-deficient cells in rhombomeres 3 and 5 persist but acquire altered identities (r2/r4 or r6).
- Autoregulatory mechanisms are required for Krox20 territory expansion and maintenance.
- Krox20 mutant cells exhibit altered mingling properties, resembling even-numbered rhombomere cells.
Conclusions:
- Krox20 is essential for generating alternating odd- and even-numbered hindbrain territories.
- Krox20 couples hindbrain segment formation, cell segregation, and regional identity specification.
