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Imaging Cleared Embryonic and Postnatal Hearts at Single-cell Resolution
Published on: October 7, 2016
Mab21l2 is essential for embryonic heart and liver development
Yohei Saito1, Takuya Kojima, Naoki Takahashi
1Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Plos One
|March 14, 2012
Summary
The Mab21l2 gene is crucial for embryonic development, regulating heart and liver formation by controlling cell proliferation and migration. Its absence leads to severe cardiac and hepatic defects, impacting embryonic viability.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Proper heart and liver formation is vital for embryonic survival.
- The gene Mab21l2 is expressed in key embryonic tissues involved in organogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Mab21l2 in mouse embryonic heart and liver development.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Mab21l2 influences organogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Mab21l2-deficient mouse embryos.
- Gene expression analysis focusing on cell proliferation and apoptosis.
- Assessment of cell migration and tissue morphogenesis.
Main Results:
- Mab21l2 deletion caused reduced myocardial tissue and impaired cardiomyocyte proliferation/survival.
- Defects in proepicardial cell proliferation and migration were observed in Mab21l2-deficient embryos, affecting epicardial formation.
- Mab21l2 deficiency led to liver hypoplasia due to impaired hepatoblast proliferation and STM formation.
Conclusions:
- Mab21l2 is essential for regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and apoptosis during heart development.
- Mab21l2 plays a critical role in epicardial formation by controlling proepicardial cell proliferation and migration.
- Mab21l2 is indispensable for septum transversum mesenchyme formation, crucial for hepatoblast survival and liver morphogenesis.
