An interacting network of T-box genes directs gene expression and fate in the zebrafish mesoderm.
T-box genes encode transcription factors that play critical roles in generating the vertebrate body plan. In many developmental fields, multiple T-box genes are expressed in overlapping domains, establishing broad regions in which different combinations of T-box genes are coexpressed. Here we demonstrate that three T-box genes expressed in the zebrafish mesoderm, no tail, spadetail, and tbx6, operate as a network of interacting genes to regulate region-specific gene expression and developmental fate. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetic analyses reveal three kinds of interactions among the T-box genes: combinatorial interactions that generate new regulatory functions, additive contributions to common developmental pathways, and competitive antagonism governing downstream gene expression. We propose that T-box genes, like Hox genes, often function within gene networks comprised of related family members.
Goering
Lisa M
LM
Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Hoshijima
Kazuyuki
K
Hug
Barbara
B
Bisgrove
Brent
B
Kispert
Andreas
A
Grunwald
David Jonah
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D015027:Zebrafish; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
D005326:Fetal Proteins; D017570:MyoD Protein; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D000098908:Brachyury Protein; C112539:tbx16 protein, zebrafish