Expression and function of the LIM homeobox containing genes Lhx3 and Lhx4 in the mouse placenta.
The LIM homeobox containing genes of the LIM-3 group, Lhx3 and Lhx4, are critical for normal development. Both genes are involved in the formation of the pituitary and the motoneuron system and loss of either gene causes perinatal lethality. Previous studies had shown that Lhx3 is overexpressed in hyperplastic placentas of mouse interspecies hybrids. To determine the role of LHX3 in the mouse placenta, we performed expression and function analyses. Our results show that Lhx3 exhibits specific spatial and temporal expression in the mouse placenta. However, deletion of Lhx3 does not produce a placental phenotype. To test whether this is due to functional substitution by Lhx4, we performed a phenotype analysis of Lhx3-/-; Lhx4-/- double-mutant placentas. A subset of Lhx3-/-; Lhx4-/- placentas exhibited abnormal structure of the labyrinth. However, absence of both LIM-3 genes did not interfere with placental transport nor consistently with expression of target genes such as Gnrhr. Thus, LHX3 and LHX4 appear to be dispensable for placental development and function.
Tian
Geng
G
Department of Animal Genetics and Development, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Singh
Umashankar
U
Yu
Yang
Y
Ellsworth
Buffy S
BS
Hemberger
Myriam
M
Geyer
Rudolf
R
Stewart
M David
MD
Behringer
Richard R
RR
Fundele
Reinald
R
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; C094898:Lhx3 protein; C108538:Lhx4 protein, mouse; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D014157:Transcription Factors