title: Alternative usage of Otx2 promoters during mouse development.
abstract: Our previous structural analysis of mouse Otx2 transcripts has revealed the existence of three different promoters and suggested that the corresponding mRNAs could exhibit specific expression patterns. Here, we analyze the precise dynamics of their expression throughout mouse development. Their spatial distribution was determined by isoform-specific in situ hybridization and their relative abundance by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Although the three promoters may be used in the same areas, we show that transcription preferentially occurs from the proximal promoter at onset of gene activity in early embryogenesis, and switches to the more distal one in most of the sites of expression in the adult brain. During gestation, their relative utilization becomes inverted. The third promoter, which shows no activity in embryonic stem cells and is moderately expressed during embryogenesis, is mostly used in specific areas derived from the rostral part of the neural tube.
authors.affiliation: LBMC, ENS-Lyon, IFR128 Lyon-Gerland, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fossat
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Courtois
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chatelain
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lamonerie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; C497660:Otx2 protein, mouse; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger