Expression of three mouse homologs of the Drosophila segment polarity gene cubitus interruptus, Gli, Gli-2, and Gli-3, in ectoderm- and mesoderm-derived tissues suggests multiple roles during postimplantation development.
Three mouse genes, Gli, Gli-2, and Gli-3, which share a similar zinc finger domain with the products of the Drosophila segment polarity gene cubitus interruptus and the Caenorhabditis elegans sex-determining gene tra-1 were cloned and characterized. The expression patterns during postimplantation development of the three genes were analyzed by Northern blot, whole-mount, and section in situ hybridizations. Expression was first detected during gastrulation in both the ectoderm and mesoderm. Later in development, their expression became more restricted in various ectoderm- and mesoderm-derived tissues and was not detectable after completion of organogenesis. Interestingly, in the developing neural tube, Gli showed a narrow ventral domain of expression, whereas Gli-2 and Gli-3 showed a broad and dorsally restricted domain. Expression of these three Gli genes in various ectoderm- and mesoderm-derived tissues suggests that they play multiple roles during postimplantation development. Consistent with this hypothesis, a naturally occurring Gli-3 mutation, the mouse extra-toes mutant; shows defects in both mesoderm- and ectoderm-derived tissues.
Hui
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Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Slusarski
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Platt
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Holmgren
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Joyner
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D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1; D016335:Zinc Fingers
D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1