Klf6 is a zinc finger protein expressed in a cell-specific manner during kidney development.
Molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the development of the renal collecting duct system during embryogenesis are still poorly understood. A mouse cDNA encoding a zinc finger protein, called Klf6, which is a member of the Krüppel-like family of transcription factors, has been cloned. Northern blot analyses showed that Klf6 was already expressed in 11.5-d postconception mouse embryos and that its expression persisted after birth. They also disclosed that Klf6 had a restricted pattern of expression. In situ hybridization experiments using mouse embryos showed that during kidney development, Klf6 was expressed selectively in the Wolffian duct and in its derivatives. During mesonephros development, it was expressed in the Wolffian duct but not in the mesonephric mesenchyme. Thereafter, Klf6 was expressed in the ureteric bud and its branches and in the collecting ducts, whereas it was not expressed in tubular structures that derive from the metanephric mesenchyme. Glomeruli were not labeled during early stages of differentiation, and it is only at the capillary stage that a staining of the mesangial area was observed, which persisted after birth. This pattern of expression is strikingly similar to the one of GATA-3, which is another zinc finger protein. It suggests that Klf6 may play a role during kidney development and in particular during the development of the renal collecting duct system, possibly in association with GATA-3.
INSERM U 489 and University of Paris VI, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Evelyne A
EA
Fischer
INSERM U 489 and University of Paris VI, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Marie-Christine
MC
Verpont
The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Lee Ann
LA
Garrett-Sinha
INSERM U 489 and University of Paris VI, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Pierre M
PM
Ronco
INSERM U 489 and University of Paris VI, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Jerome A
JA
Rossert
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075723:Kruppel-Like Factor 6; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016335:Zinc Fingers
C491358:Klf6 protein, mouse; D000075723:Kruppel-Like Factor 6; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators