title: Minimal phenotype of mice homozygous for a null mutation in the forkhead/winged helix gene, Mf2.
abstract: Mf2 (mesoderm/mesenchyme forkhead 2) encodes a forkhead/winged helix transcription factor expressed in numerous tissues of the mouse embryo, including paraxial mesoderm, somites, branchial arches, vibrissae, developing central nervous system, and developing kidney. We have generated mice homozygous for a null mutation in the Mf2 gene (Mf2(lacZ)) to examine its role during embryonic development. The lacZ allele also allows monitoring of Mf2 gene expression. Homozygous null mutants are viable and fertile and have no major developmental defects. Some mutants show renal abnormalities, including kidney hypoplasia and hydroureter, but the penetrance of this phenotype is only 40% or lower, depending on the genetic background. These data suggest that Mf2 can play a unique role in kidney development, but there is functional redundancy in this organ and other tissues with other forkhead/winged helix genes.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2175, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kume
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018390:Gene Targeting; D006720:Homozygote; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D007763:Lac Operon; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D014513:Ureter / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C111581:Foxd2 protein, mouse