title: Progressive loss of the spongiotrophoblast layer of Birc6/Bruce mutants results in embryonic lethality.
abstract: We have generated a mouse line with a mutant allele of the mouse Bruce/Birc6 gene induced by gene trap mutagenesis. Based on its structural features, Bruce is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitor proteins (IAPs). This mutation leads to a truncated transcript and protein and results in a complete loss of the wildtype Bruce protein. Bruce mutant mice die from a progressive loss of their placental spongiotrophoblast layer between day 11.5 and 14.5 of embryonic development. The cause of the Bruce homozygous mutant phenotype is a lack of proliferation of spongiotrophoblast cells in the developing placenta. In contrast to in vitro data, which indicate a function for Bruce in apoptosis inhibition, the in vivo results presented here suggest instead a role for Bruce in cell division.
authors.affiliation: GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Developmental Genetics, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hitz
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vogt-Weisenhorn
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wurst
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Floss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001483:Base Sequence; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D005838:Genotype; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C490597:BIRC6 protein, mouse; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012313:RNA; D001616:beta-Galactosidase