Dll3 and Notch1 genetic interactions model axial segmental and craniofacial malformations of human birth defects.
Mutations in the Notch1 receptor and delta-like 3 (Dll3) ligand cause global disruptions in axial segmental patterning. Genetic interactions between members of the notch pathway have previously been shown to cause patterning defects not observed in single gene disruptions. We examined Dll3-Notch1 compound mouse mutants to screen for potential gene interactions. While mice heterozygous at either locus appeared normal, 30% of Dll3-Notch1 double heterozygous animals exhibited localized, segmental anomalies similar to human congenital vertebral defects. Unexpectedly, double heterozygous mice also displayed statistically significant reduction of mandibular height and decreased length of the [corrected] maxillary hard palate. Examination of somite-stage embryos and perinatal anatomy and histology did not reveal any organ defects, so we used microarray-based analysis of Dll3 and Notch1 mutant embryos to identify gene targets that may be involved in notch-regulated segmental or craniofacial development. Thus, Dll3-Notch1 double heterozygous mice model human congenital scoliosis and craniofacial disorders.
Loomes
Kathleen M
KM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Stevens
Stacey A
SA
O'Brien
Megan L
ML
Gonzalez
Dorian M
DM
Ryan
Matthew J
MJ
Segalov
Michelle
M
Dormans
Nicholas J
NJ
Mimoto
Mizuho S
MS
Gibson
Joshua D
JD
Sewell
William
W
Schaffer
Alyssa A
AA
Nah
Hyun-Duck
HD
Rappaport
Eric F
EF
Pratt
Stephen C
SC
Dunwoodie
Sally L
SL
Kusumi
Kenro
K
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002508:Cephalometry; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000002:abnormalities; D051881:Receptor, Notch1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012272:Ribs / Q000002:abnormalities; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000235:genetics*; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities
C511877:Dll3 protein, mouse; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C497762:Notch1 protein, mouse; D051881:Receptor, Notch1