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Published on: February 9, 2017
Pax3 and Dach2 positive regulation in the developing somite.
G Kardon1, T A Heanue, C J Tabin
1Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Summary
In vertebrates, the Pax3 and Dach2 genes form a regulatory network essential for skeletal muscle development. These genes positively regulate each other
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Skeletal muscle development in vertebrates originates from somitic cells.
- Genes such as Pax3, Six1, Eya2, and Dach2 are implicated in early myogenesis.
- In vitro studies suggest these genes form a regulatory network controlling transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo function of the Pax3/Six1/Eya2/Dach2 network.
- To determine if Pax3 and Dach2 engage in a positive regulatory feedback loop in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Utilized somite culture experiments, exploiting ectodermal signal dependence.
- Employed retroviral misexpression to rescue gene expression in isolated somites.
- Tested the interregulation between Pax3 and Dach2 in vivo.
Main Results:
- Somites isolated from ectoderm lose Pax3 and Dach2 expression.
- Misexpression of Pax3 rescued Dach2 expression in isolated somites.
- Misexpression of Dach2 rescued Pax3 expression in isolated somites.
Conclusions:
- Pax3 and Dach2 positively regulate each other's expression in vivo.
- The findings validate the regulatory role of the Pax3/Six1/Eya2/Dach2 network in myogenesis.
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