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Requirement of FGF-4 for postimplantation mouse development
B Feldman1, W Poueymirou, V E Papaioannou
1Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biophysical Studies, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 13, 1995
Summary
Fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) is crucial for early embryonic development. Gene targeting revealed that FGF-4 deficiency severely impairs inner cell mass proliferation, essential for embryo growth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are implicated in vertebrate development due to diverse expression and in vitro activities.
- Understanding the specific embryonic roles of FGF-4 is essential for developmental biology research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the embryonic functions of FGF-4.
- To investigate the impact of Fgf4 gene disruption on mouse embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Gene targeting was employed to create mice with a disrupted Fgf4 gene (Fgf4 null).
- Analysis of Fgf4 null embryos in vivo and in vitro.
- Assessment of inner cell mass proliferation and differentiation.
Main Results:
- Homozygous Fgf4 null embryos implanted and induced decidualization but showed limited subsequent development.
- In vitro culture of Fgf4 null embryos demonstrated severely impaired inner cell mass proliferation.
- Supplementation with FGF-4 protein rescued inner cell mass growth and differentiation in null embryos.
Conclusions:
- FGF-4 is indispensable for early mouse embryonic development, particularly for inner cell mass proliferation.
- The study confirms the critical role of FGF-4 in supporting embryonic growth and differentiation.