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Updated: Sep 21, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Erk5 null mice display multiple extraembryonic vascular and embryonic cardiovascular defects
Christopher P Regan1, Wei Li, Diane M Boucher
1Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Department of Biology, 130 Waverly Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Erk5 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase, the biological role of which is largely undefined. Therefore, we deleted the erk5 gene in mice to assess its function in vivo. Inactivation of the erk5 gene resulted in defective blood-vessel and cardiac development leading to embryonic lethality around embryonic days 9.5-10.5. Cardiac development was retarded largely, and the heart failed to undergo normal looping. Endothelial cells that line the developing myocardium of erk5-/- embryos displayed a disorganized, rounded morphology. Vasculogenesis occurred, but extraembryonic and embryonic blood vessels were disorganized and failed to mature. Furthermore, the investment of embryonic blood vessels with smooth muscle cells was attenuated. Together, these data define an essential role for Erk5 in cardiovascular development. Moreover, the inability of Erk5-deficient mice to form a complex vasculature suggests that Erk5 may play an important role in controlling angiogenesis.
Insights
Erk5 (Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5) is essential for cardiovascular development. Erk5 gene deletion in mice caused severe defects in blood vessel and heart formation, leading to embryonic lethality and highlighting its role in angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The biological role of Erk5 (Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5), a mitogen-activated protein kinase, remains largely undefined.
- Understanding Erk5's function is crucial for comprehending cardiovascular development and related pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo function of Erk5 by generating and analyzing Erk5-deficient mice.
- To elucidate the specific roles of Erk5 in embryonic cardiovascular development and blood vessel formation.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion of Erk5 in a mouse model.
- Phenotypic analysis of Erk5 knockout embryos, focusing on cardiovascular and vascular development.
- Assessment of endothelial cell morphology and smooth muscle cell investment.
Main Results:
- Inactivation of the Erk5 gene led to embryonic lethality around days 9.5-10.5 due to defective blood vessel and cardiac development.
- Erk5-/- embryos exhibited retarded cardiac development, abnormal heart looping, and disorganized endothelial cells.
- Vasculogenesis was impaired, with disorganized and immature blood vessels, and reduced smooth muscle cell investment.
Conclusions:
- Erk5 plays an essential role in cardiovascular development, including cardiac morphogenesis and blood vessel maturation.
- The data suggest Erk5 is critical for proper vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, controlling the formation of a complex vasculature.
