Tbx6 regulates left/right patterning in mouse embryos through effects on nodal cilia and perinodal signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The determination of left/right body axis during early embryogenesis sets up a developmental cascade that coordinates the development of the viscera and is essential to the correct placement and alignment of organ systems and vasculature. Defective left-right patterning can lead to congenital cardiac malformations, vascular anomalies and other serious health problems. Here we describe a novel role for the T-box transcription factor gene Tbx6 in left/right body axis determination in the mouse.

Results

Embryos lacking Tbx6 show randomized embryo turning and heart looping. Our results point to multiple mechanisms for this effect. First, Dll1, a direct target of Tbx6, is down regulated around the node in Tbx6 mutants and there is a subsequent decrease in nodal signali

SUBMITTER: Hadjantonakis AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2427182 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature