Pax-2 expression in the murine neural plate precedes and encompasses the expression domains of Wnt-1 and En-1.
In the Drosophila embryo, activation of wingless and engrailed in the parasegment requires paired, a member of the Pax family of transcription factors. We have explored the possible conservation of this regulatory hierarchy in the developing mouse brain. We find that Pax-2 is expressed prior to somite formation in the presumptive mid/hindbrain region. Shortly thereafter, Wnt-1 (the wingless orthologue) and Engrailed-1 are expressed in overlapping regions within the Pax-2 domain. Pax-5 expression commences later, at the 3-somite stage. Thus, the spatial and temporal expression of Pax-2 is consistent with a possible regulatory role in the activation of Wnt-1 and En-1.
Rowitch
D H
DH
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
McMahon
A P
AP
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor; D011247:Pregnancy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C080330:En1 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor; C497319:Pax2 protein, mouse; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; C495246:Wnt1 protein, mouse; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins