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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors
Published on: December 3, 2017
Expression of an Nkx3.1-CRE gene using ROSA26 reporter mice
M N Stanfel1, K A Moses, J A Carson
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
The genetic locus of Nkx3.1, an early murine marker of sclerotome and prostate development, was disrupted by a knock in of CRE recombinase via homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Cell fate mapping revealed previously unidentified cell lineages expanded from Nkx3.1-expressing cell populations and recapitulated reported Nkx3.1 expression patterns. In lineage trace experiments of E18.5 Nkx3.1-CRE; R26R embryos novel staining was observed in areas of the lungs, portions of the duodenum, and vertebral elements of the skeleton. beta-galactosidase activity measured in Nkx3.1-CRE; R26R and Nkx3.2-CRE; R26R embryos was observed in overlapping regions of the sclerotome but no apparent change in Nkx3.1 expression was seen in the Nkx3.2 mutants by in situ hybridization.
Insights
This study genetically modified the Nkx3.1 gene in mice to track cell development. Researchers discovered new cell lineages originating from Nkx3.1 cells, appearing in the lungs, duodenum, and skeleton.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nkx3.1 is an early marker for murine sclerotome and prostate development.
- Understanding Nkx3.1's role is crucial for developmental studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental potential of Nkx3.1-expressing cells.
- To identify novel cell lineages derived from Nkx3.1 populations.
Main Methods:
- Disruption of the Nkx3.1 genetic locus using CRE recombinase knock-in in embryonic stem cells.
- Cell fate mapping and lineage tracing experiments in Nkx3.1-CRE; R26R mouse embryos.
- In situ hybridization to analyze gene expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Cell fate mapping revealed previously unidentified cell lineages originating from Nkx3.1-expressing cells.
- Lineage tracing in E18.5 Nkx3.1-CRE; R26R embryos showed novel staining in lungs, duodenum, and skeletal elements.
- Overlapping beta-galactosidase activity was observed in the sclerotome of Nkx3.1-CRE; R26R and Nkx3.2-CRE; R26R embryos.
Conclusions:
- Nkx3.1 marks progenitor cells that contribute to diverse tissues beyond the prostate.
- The study identifies novel developmental contributions of Nkx3.1-expressing cells in murine development.
