Malformation of trachea and pelvic region in goosecoid mutant mice

The homeobox gene goosecoid is expressed in the Spemann organizer tissue of gastrulating vertebrate embryos, and in the craniofacial region and appendicular skeleton during organogenesis. The goosecoid knockout mutant mouse revealed defects related to the second phase of expression. Here we describe new expression sites in the developing trachea and external genitalia, and in the developing shoulder and hip joint with their associated ligaments and muscles. We show that mutant mice display abnormalities in the forming trachea and appendicular skeleton related to these sites of gene expression. In addition, we discuss evidence for the existence of at least three goosecoid genes in vertebrates, which may account for the lack of a defect of axial patterning in goosecoid mutant mice.