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PSF1 is essential for early embryogenesis in mice.
Masaya Ueno1, Machiko Itoh, Lingyu Kong
1Department of Stem Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, 13-1, Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|November 17, 2005
Summary
Partner of sld five 1 (Psf1) is crucial for early embryonic development. Gene targeting revealed Psf1 is essential for mouse blastocyst viability and cell proliferation, indicating its role in embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The GINS complex, including Psf1, is vital for DNA replication initiation in simpler organisms.
- The in vivo function of Psf1 in higher eukaryotes, particularly during early development, remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the physiological role of the mouse Psf1 gene in vivo.
- To investigate the necessity of Psf1 for early embryogenesis and stem cell function.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of the mouse Psf1 ortholog from a hematopoietic stem cell cDNA library.
- Gene targeting to create Psf1-deficient mice (Psf1-/-).
- In vitro culture of Psf1-/- blastocysts to assess outgrowth and proliferation.
Main Results:
- Mice with a nonfunctional Psf1 mutation (Psf1-/-) exhibited embryonic lethality around implantation.
- Psf1-/- blastocysts demonstrated a failure in outgrowth and a significant cell proliferation defect in culture.
- Psf1 expression was detected in tissues with active stem cell systems, including blastocysts, bone marrow, and testis.
Conclusions:
- Psf1 is indispensable for early embryogenesis in mice.
- The cell proliferation defect in Psf1-deficient blastocysts underlies the observed embryonic lethality.