title: Sp8 is crucial for limb outgrowth and neuropore closure.
abstract: In this report we describe the developmental expression and function of Sp8, a member of the Sp family of zinc finger transcription factors, and provide evidence that the legless transgene insertional mutant is a hypomorphic allele of the Sp8 gene. Sp8 is expressed during embryogenesis in the forming apical ectodermal ridge (AER), restricted regions of the central nervous system, and tail bud. Targeted deletion of the Sp8 gene gives a striking phenotype, with severe truncation of both forelimbs and hindlimbs, absent tail, as well as defects in anterior and posterior neuropore closure leading to exencephaly and spina bifida. Outgrowth of the limb depends on formation of the AER, a signaling center that forms at the limb bud apex. In Sp8 mutants, the AER precursor cells are induced and initially express multiple appropriate marker genes, but expression of these genes is not maintained and progression to a mature AER is blocked. These observations indicate that Sp8 functions downstream of Wnt3, Fgf10, and Bmpr1a in the signaling cascade that mediates AER formation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. sheila.bell@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.forename: Ronald R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Waclaw
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: S Steven
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019521:Body Patterning; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005121:Extremities / Q000196:embryology*; D018390:Gene Targeting; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA