title: Loss of the extraembryonic ectoderm in Elf5 mutants leads to defects in embryonic patterning.
abstract: The extraembryonic ectoderm (ExE) is essential for mammalian placental formation and survival of the embryo in utero. We have obtained a mouse model lacking the ExE, by targeted deletion of the transcription factor Elf5. Although Elf5 mutant embryos implant and form an ectoplacental cone, no trophoblast stem (TS) cells can be derived, indicating that the absence of ExE is a result of the lack of TS cell maintenance. Embryos without ExE tissue are able to form the anterior visceral endoderm but fail to undergo gastrulation, demonstrating an essential role for the ExE in embryonic patterning during a defined window of development.
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Crown Research Institute, Ruakura Campus, East Street, Hamilton 2001, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Martyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donnison
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beaton
authors.forename: Helen W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Ric
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broadhurst
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: L'Huillier
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D005775:Gastrula / Q000502:physiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C500759:Elf5 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors