Immunohistochemical localization of Foxa1 and Foxa2 in mouse embryos and adult tissues

Members of the Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors family Foxa1 (Hnf-3 alpha), Foxa2 (Hnf-3 beta) are known to influence gene expression in endodermally derived tissues including lung, liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestine. In the present study, we have generated highly specific antibodies for Foxa1 and Foxa2 and determined their expression patterns in the developing and adult mouse. Foxa1 and Foxa2 were detected in the nuclei of tissues derived from both foregut and hindgut endoderm (liver, lung, pancreas, stomach, intestine, prostate and bladder). Foxa2 and Foxa1 were also detected in organs deriving from ectodermal (several brain structures and olfactory epithelium) and mesodermal origins (kidney, vagina and uterus, seminal and coagulating glands) during development. Colocalization and distinct sites of expression of Foxa1 and Foxa2 indicate unique as well as overlapping roles of Foxa1 or Foxa2 during morphogenesis and in the function of different adult organs.