Cadherin-17 is required to maintain pronephric duct integrity during zebrafish development

We have isolated a zebrafish cadherin that is orthologous to human LI-cadherin (CDH17). Zebrafish cdh17 is expressed exclusively in the pronephric ducts during embryogenesis, and in the mesonephros during larval development and adulthood. Like its mammalian ortholog, cdh17 is also expressed in liver and intestine in adult zebrafish. We show that cdh17-positive mesodermal cells do not contribute to the hematopoietic system. Consistent with a cell adhesion role for Cdh17, depletion of Cdh17 function using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides compromised cell cohesion during pronephric duct formation. Our results indicate that Cdh17 is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the pronephric ducts during zebrafish embryogenesis. This finding contrasts with the role of mammalian CDH17, which does not appear to be involved in nephric development.

A novel positive transcriptional feedback loop in midbrain-hindbrain boundary development is revealed through analysis of the zebrafish pax2.1 promoter in transgenic lines

The pax2.1 gene encodes a paired-box transcription factor that is one of the earliest genes to be specifically activated in development of the midbrain and midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), and is required for the development and organizer activity of this territory. To understand how this spatially restricted transcriptional activity of pax2.1 is achieved, we have isolated and characterized the pax2.1-promoter using a lacZ and a GFP reporter gene in transient injection assays and transgenic lines. Stable transgenic expression of this reporter gene shows that a 5.3-kb fragment of the 5′ region contains most, but not all, elements required for driving pax2.1 expression. The expressing tissues include the MHB, hindbrain, spinal cord, ear and pronephros. Transgene activation in the pronephros and developing ear suggests that these pax2.1-expressing tissues are composed of independently regulated subdomains. In addition, ectopic but spatially restricted activation of the reporter genes in rhombomeres 3 and 5 and in the forebrain, which do not normally express endogenous pax2.1, demonstrates the importance of negative regulation of pax2.1.

Comparison of transgene expression in wild-type and homozygous pax2.1 mutant no isthmus (noi) embryos reveals that the transgene contains control element(s) for a novel, positive transcriptional feedback loop in MHB development. Transcription of endogenous pax2.1 at the MHB is known to be initially Pax2.1 independent, during activation in late gastrulation. In contrast, transgene expression requires the endogenous Pax2.1 function. Transplantations, mRNA injections and morpholino knock-down experiments show that this feedback regulation of pax2.1 transcription occurs cell-autonomously, and that it requires eng2 and eng3 as known targets for Pax2.1 regulation. We suggest that this novel feedback loop may allow continuation of pax2.1 expression, and hence development of the MHB organizer, to become independent of the patterning machinery of the gastrula embryo.

Concerted action of twodlxparalogs in sensory placode formation

Sensory placodes are ectodermal thickenings that give rise to elements of the vertebrate cranial sensory nervous system, including the inner ear and nose. Although mutations have been described in humans, mice and zebrafish that perturb ear and nose development, no mutation is known to prevent sensory placode formation. Thus, it has been postulated that a functional redundancy exists in the genetic mechanisms that govern sensory placode development. We describe a zebrafish deletion mutation, b380, which results in a lack of both otic and olfactory placodes.

The b380 deletion removes several known genes and expressed sequence tags, including dlx3 and dlx7, two transcription factors that share a homoeobox domain similar in sequence to the Drosophila Distal-less gene. dlx3 and dlx7 are expressed in an overlapping pattern in the regions that produce the otic and olfactory placodes in zebrafish. We present evidence suggesting that it is specifically the removal of these two genes that leads to the otic and olfactory phenotype of b380 mutants. Using morpholinos, antisense oligonucleotides that effectively block translation of target genes, we find that functional reduction of both dlx genes contributes to placode loss. Expression patterns of the otic marker pax2.1, olfactory marker anxV and eya1, a marker of both placodes, in morpholino-injected embryos recapitulate the reduced expression of these genes seen in b380 mutants. We also examine expression of dlx3 and dlx7 in the morpholino-injected embryos and present evidence for existence of auto- and cross-regulatory control of expression among these genes.

We demonstrate that dlx3 is necessary and sufficient for proper otic and olfactory placode development. However, our results indicate that dlx3 and dlx7 act in concert and their importance in placode formation is only revealed by inactivating both paralogs.

The HMG-I/Y-related protein p8 binds to p300 and Pax2 trans-activation domain-interacting protein to regulate the trans-activation activity of the Pax2A and Pax2B transcription factors on the glucagon gene promoter

p8 is a nuclear DNA-binding protein, which was identified because its expression is strongly activated in response to several stresses. Biochemical and biophysical studies revealed that despite a weak sequence homology p8 is an HMG-I/Y-like protein, suggesting that p8 may be involved in transcription regulation. Results reported here strongly support this hypothesis. Using a pull-down approach, we found that p8 interacts with the general co-activator p300. We also found that, similar to the HMG proteins, p300 was able to acetylate recombinant p8 in vitro, although the significance of such modification remains to be determined. Then a screening by the two-hybrid system, using p8 as bait, allowed us to identify the Pax2 trans-activation domain-interacting protein (PTIP) as another partner of p8. Transient transfection studies revealed that PTIP is a strong inhibitor of the trans-activation activities of Pax2A and Pax2B on the glucagon gene promoter, which was chosen as a model because it is a target of the Pax2A and Pax2B transcription factors. This effect is completely abolished by co-transfection of p8 in glucagon-producing InRIG9 cells, indicating that p8 binding to PTIP prevents inhibition of the glucagon gene promoter. This was not observed in NIH3T3 fibroblasts that do not express glucagon. Finally, expression of p8 enhances the effect of p300 on Pax2A and Pax2B trans-activation of the glucagon gene promoter. These observations suggest that in glucagon-producing cells p8 is a positive cofactor of the activation of the glucagon gene promoter by Pax2A and Pax2B, both by recruiting the p300 cofactor to increase the Pax2A and Pax2B activities and by binding the Pax2-interacting protein PTIP to suppress its inhibition.

Hox11 paralogous genes are essential for metanephric kidney induction

The mammalian Hox complex is divided into four linkage groups containing 13 sets of paralogous genes. These paralogous genes have retained functional redundancy during evolution. For this reason, loss of only one or two Hox genes within a paralogous group often results in incompletely penetrant phenotypes which are difficult to interpret by molecular analysis. For example, mice individually mutant for Hoxa11 or Hoxd11 show no discernible kidney abnormalities. Hoxa11/Hoxd11 double mutants, however, demonstrate hypoplasia of the kidneys. As described in this study, removal of the last Hox11 paralogous member, Hoxc11, results in the complete loss of metanephric kidney induction. In these triple mutants, the metanephric blastema condenses, and expression of early patterning genes, Pax2 and Wt1, is unperturbed. Eya1 expression is also intact. Six2 expression, however, is absent, as is expression of the inducing growth factor, Gdnf. In the absence of Gdnf, ureteric bud formation is not initiated. Molecular analysis of this phenotype demonstrates that Hox11 control of early metanephric induction is accomplished by the interaction of Hox11 genes with the pax-eya-six regulatory cascade, a pathway that may be used by Hox genes more generally for the induction of multiple structures along the anteroposterior axis.

Gene expression in Wilms' tumor mimics the earliest committed stage in the metanephric mesenchymal-epithelial transition

Wilms' tumor (WT) has been considered a prototype for arrested cellular differentiation in cancer, but previous studies have relied on selected markers. We have now performed an unbiased survey of gene expression in WTs using oligonucleotide microarrays. Statistical criteria identified 357 genes as differentially expressed between WTs and fetal kidneys. This set contained 124 matches to genes on a microarray used by Stuart and colleagues (Stuart RO, Bush KT, Nigam SK: Changes in global gene expression patterns during development and maturation of the rat kidney. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001, 98:5649-5654) to establish genes with stage-specific expression in the developing rat kidney. Mapping between the two data sets showed that WTs systematically overexpressed genes corresponding to the earliest stage of metanephric development, and underexpressed genes corresponding to later stages. Automated clustering identified a smaller group of 27 genes that were highly expressed in WTs compared to fetal kidney and heterologous tumor and normal tissues. This signature set was enriched in genes encoding transcription factors. Four of these, PAX2, EYA1, HBF2, and HOXA11, are essential for cell survival and proliferation in early metanephric development, whereas others, including SIX1, MOX1, and SALL2, are predicted to act at this stage. SIX1 and SALL2 proteins were expressed in the condensing mesenchyme in normal human fetal kidneys, but were absent (SIX1) or reduced (SALL2) in cells at other developmental stages. These data imply that the blastema in WTs has progressed to the committed stage in the mesenchymal-epithelial transition, where it is partially arrested in differentiation. The WT-signature set also contained the Wnt receptor FZD7, the tumor antigen PRAME, the imprinted gene NNAT and the metastasis-associated transcription factor E1AF.

Conservation of Pax gene expression in ectodermal placodes of the lamprey

Ectodermal placodes contribute to the cranial ganglia and sense organs of the head and, together with neural crest cells, represent defining features of the vertebrate embryo. The identity of different placodes appears to be specified in part by the expression of different Pax genes, with Pax-3/7 class genes being expressed in the trigeminal placode of mice, chick, frogs and fish, and Pax-2/5/8 class genes expressed in the otic placode. Here, we present the cloning and expression pattern of lamprey Pax-7 and Pax-2, which mark the trigeminal and otic placodes, respectively, as well as other structures characteristic of vertebrate Pax genes. These results suggest conservation of Pax genes and placodal structures in basal and derived vertebrates.

Significance of early phenotypic change of glomerular podocytes detected by Pax2 in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

In primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), phenotypic alteration of podocytes is important for the development of cellular lesions (CLs), which precede glomerular scar formation. WT1 and Pax2 are transcription factors involved in kidney development and phenotypic regulation of glomerular epithelial cells. However, the role of WT1 and Pax2 in the development of CLs in primary FSGS is unclear. Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of WT1, Pax2, and cytokeratin (CK), an epithelial marker never found in normal podocytes, was examined in 35 biopsy samples of primary FSGS. Segmental lesions were categorized as: (1) classic segmental scar (CS), (2) CL, and (3) monolayer epithelial (ME) lesion. In normal glomeruli, WT1 was strongly positive in podocytes and weakly positive in parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule. Pax2 was strongly positive in parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule, but never expressed in podocytes. Expression of WT1, Pax2, and CK was scantly positive in CSs. WT1 expression was decreased in CLs compared with unaffected podocytes, but Pax2 and CK were strongly expressed in CLs and podocytes of morphologically unaffected tufts in cases with CLs. WT1 expression was strong, as well as Pax2 and CK, in ME lesions. Clinically, urinary protein levels were significantly greater, and the interval from clinical onset to biopsy was significantly shorter in patients with CLs. These results suggest that re-expression of Pax2 in podocytes resulting in phenotypic change to a different epithelial form is one of the important changes for the development of CLs and ME lesions. Alteration from WT1 to Pax2 in podocytes may have an important role in the initiation of glomerular injury in primary FSGS.

The zebrafishspiel-ohne-grenzen(spg) gene encodes the POU domain protein Pou2 related to mammalianOct4and is essential for formation of the midbrain and hindbrain, and for pre-gastrula morphogenesis

In early embryonic development, the brain is divided into three main regions along the anteroposterior axis: the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Through retroviral insertional mutagenesis and chemical mutagenesis experiments in zebrafish, we have isolated mutations that cause abnormal hindbrain organization and a failure of the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) to form, a region that acts as an organizer for the adjacent brain regions. The mutations fail to complement the spiel-ohne-grenzen (spg) mutation, which causes a similar phenotype, but for which the affected gene is unknown. We show through genetic mapping, cloning of the proviral insertion site and allele sequencing that spg mutations disrupt pou2, a gene encoding the Pou2 transcription factor. Based on chromosomal synteny, phylogenetic sequence comparison, and expression and functional data, we suggest that pou2 is the zebrafish ortholog of mouse Oct3/Oct4 and human POU5F1. For the mammalian genes, a function in brain development has so far not been described. In the absence of functional pou2, expression of markers for the midbrain, MHB and the hindbrain primordium (pax2.1, wnt1, krox20) are severely reduced, correlating with the neuroectoderm-specific expression phase of pou2. Injection of pou2 mRNA restores these defects in spg mutant embryos, but does not activate these markers ectopically, demonstrating a permissive role for pou2. Injections of pou2-morpholinos phenocopy the spg phenotype at low concentration, further proving that spg encodes pou2. Two observations suggest that pou2 has an additional earlier function: higher pou2-morpholino concentrations specifically cause a pre-gastrula arrest of cell division and morphogenesis, and expression of pou2 mRNA itself is reduced in spg-homozygous embryos at this stage. These experiments suggest two roles for pou2. Initially, Pou2 functions during early proliferation and morphogenesis of the blastomeres, similar to Oct3/4 in mammals during formation of the inner cell mass. During zebrafish brain formation, Pou2 then functions a second time to activate gene expression in the midbrain and hindbrain primordium, which is reflected at later stages in the specific lack in spg embryos of the MHB and associated defects in the mid- and hindbrain.

Expression of the PAX2 oncogene in human breast cancer and its role in progesterone-dependent mammary growth

In this study, we first describe expression of the paired domain transcription factor PAX2 in the normal and cancerous human breast, then demonstrate in a murine model a novel function for PAX2 in the regulation of progesterone stimulation of secondary ductal growth. In human mammary tissue, PAX2 expression was coincident with sub-populations of mammary ductal cells, some of which possessed an undifferentiated histiotype, and was also found in >50% of the human breast tumors surveyed (n=38). In the mouse, mammary parenchyma with a targeted deletion of PAX2 developed normal ductal systems when grafted into wild-type host mammary fat pads, but failed to undergo higher order side-branching and lobular development in response to progesterone. A previously unsuspected PAX2/WT1 (Wilms' tumor suppressor gene) regulatory axis in the mammary gland was also indicated. Using RT-PCR, a significant reduction in WT1 mRNA expression was detected in the PAX2 mutant glands compared to wild-type counterparts and double-antibody immunohistochemistry detected the co-localization of PAX2 and WT1 in the nuclei of normal and cancerous breast cells. These data indicate a role for PAX2 (and possibly WT1) in the regulation of the progesterone response of the mature mammary gland. The potential contribution of PAX2 to breast tumor pathogenesis is discussed.

Dach1, a vertebrate homologue of Drosophila dachshund, is expressed in the developing eye and ear of both chick and mouse and is regulated independently of Pax and Eya genes

We have cloned a chick homologue of Drosophila dachshund (dac), termed Dach1. Dach1 is the orthologue of mouse and human Dac/Dach (hereafter referred to as Dach1). We show that chick Dach1 is expressed in a variety of sites during embryonic development, including the eye and ear. Previous work has demonstrated the existence of a functional network and genetic regulatory hierarchy in Drosophila in which eyeless (ey, the Pax6 orthologue), eyes absent (eya), and dac operate together to regulate Drosophila eye development, and that ey regulates the expression of eya and dac. We find that in the developing eye of both chick and mouse, expression domains of Dach1 overlap with those of Pax6, a gene required for normal eye development. Similarly, in the developing ear of both mouse and chick, Dach1 expression overlaps with the expression of another Pax gene, Pax2. In the mouse, Dach1 expression in the developing ear also overlaps with the expression of Eya1 (an eya homologue). Both Pax2 and Eya1 are required for normal ear development. Our expression studies suggest that the Drosophila Pax-eya-dac regulatory network may be evolutionarily conserved such that Pax genes, Eya1, and Dach1 may function together in vertebrates to regulate neural development. To address the further possibility that a regulatory hierarchy exists between Pax, Eya, and Dach genes, we have examined the expression of mouse Dach1 in Pax6, Pax2 and Eya1 mutant backgrounds. Our results indicate that Pax6, Pax2, and Eya1 do not regulate Dach1 expression through a simple linear hierarchy.

Vax2inactivation in mouse determines alteration of the eye dorsal-ventral axis, misrouting of the optic fibres and eye coloboma

Vax2 is a homeobox gene whose expression is confined to the ventral region of the prospective neural retina. Overexpression of this gene at early stages of development in Xenopus and in chicken embryos determines a ventralisation of the retina, thus suggesting its role in the molecular pathway that underlies eye development. We describe the generation and characterisation of a mouse with a targeted null mutation of the Vax2 gene. Vax2 homozygous mutant mice display incomplete closure of the optic fissure that leads to eye coloboma. This phenotype is not fully penetrant, suggesting that additional factors contribute to its generation. Vax2 inactivation determines dorsalisation of the expression of mid-late (Ephb2 and Efnb2) but not early (Pax2 and Tbx5) markers of dorsal-ventral polarity in the developing retina. Finally, Vax2 mutant mice exhibit abnormal projections of ventral retinal ganglion cells. In particular, we observed the almost complete absence of ipsilaterally projecting retinal ganglion cells axons in the optic chiasm and alteration of the retinocollicular projections. All these findings indicate that Vax2 is required for the proper closure of the optic fissure, for the establishment of a physiological asymmetry on the dorsal-ventral axis of the eye and for the formation of appropriate retinocollicular connections.

Differential expression of Otx2, Gbx2, Pax2, and Fgf8 in the developing vestibular and auditory sensory organs

The vertebrate inner ear is a complex organ with vestibular and auditory sensory functions, which derives from a single ectoderm structure, the otic placode. The development and regional patterning of the otic primordium is determined by the restricted expression of several genes. Here, we show the expression pattern of three transcription factors (Otx2, Gbx2, Pax2) and of a member of the fibroblast growth factor family (Fgf8) in the developing chick inner ear, and we correlate these patterns with the developing sensory and nonsensory elements.

Expression of the transcription factors GATA3 and Pax2 during development of the mammalian inner ear

The transcription factors GATA3 and Pax2 are expressed throughout development of the mouse inner ear. We have used antibodies to study their temporal and spatial expression patterns from embryonic days E8-E16.5. The two factors show reciprocal relationships in the regional patterning of the early otocyst and cellular patterning within the sensory epithelia. GATA3 is expressed in the whole otic placode at E8. In the otocyst at E9.5-10.5, the distribution is lateral and complementary to the medial expression pattern of Pax2. Only Pax2 is expressed in the endolymphatic duct, but both factors are expressed in the cochlea. At E11.5-13.5, GATA3 is expressed strongly in the cochlea, but in the dorsal, vestibular region it is downregulated. In all sensory epithelia, downregulation coincides with sensory innervation. Pax2 is expressed in all sensory and some nonsensory epithelia, but within sensory epithelia at E16.5 it is restricted to hair cells. GATA3 is expressed throughout key periods of cell proliferation, fate determination, and differentiation and is not specifically associated with any of these processes. Expression persists most strongly in the main components of the developing auditory system. These include the auditory sensory epithelium, the afferent and efferent nerves, and the mesenchymal and ectodermal cells in regions that form key parts of the middle and outer ear. GATA3 is thus expressed in functionally distinct groups of cells that integrate to form a complete sensory system. The results suggest that both factors may be involved in tissue compartmentalisation, morphogenesis, and cell signalling.

Retina dorsal/ventral patterning by Xenopus TBX3

Although it is well known that patterning in the retina of vertebrates is essential for retina formation and for the retinotopic projection of axons in the embryo, knowledge of molecular and cellular mechanisms of retina patterning is limited. We have previously identified the Xenopus Tbx3 gene (XTbx3) which is expressed in the dorsal retina but not in the ventral retina in Xenopus embryos [H. Li, C. Tierney, L. Wen, J. Y. Wu, and Y. Rao (1997) Development 124, 603-615; M.-L. He, L. Wen, C. E. Campbell, J. Y. Wu, and Y. Rao (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 10212-10217]. Dosage-sensitive phenotypes in humans suggest that the manipulation of the amount and location of its products could be informative for understanding its normal function. Here we report that ectopic expression of Tbx3 by mRNA injection suppressed formation of the ventral retina. Furthermore, Tbx3 injection led to inhibition of molecular markers for the ventral retina including Pax-2 and netrin, indicating that Tbx3 plays an important role in retina dorsal/ventral patterning in vertebrates by inhibition of gene expression for ventral retina specification.

The activation and maintenance of Pax2 expression at the mid-hindbrain boundary is controlled by separate enhancers

Pax2 is the earliest known gene to be expressed throughout the mid-hindbrain region in late gastrula embryos of the mouse and is essential for the formation of an organizing center at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), which controls midbrain and cerebellum development. We have used transgenic analysis to identify three MHB-specific enhancers in the upstream region of the mouse Pax2 gene. A 120 bp enhancer (at –3.7 kb) in cooperation with the endogenous promoter was sufficient to induce transgene expression in the anterior neural plate of late gastrula embryos, while it was already inactivated again at the MHB during somitogenesis. The activity of this early enhancer was severely reduced by mutation of three homeodomain-binding sites, two of which are part of a recognition sequence for POU homeodomain proteins. Oct3/4 (Pou5f1), the mouse ortholog of zebrafish Pou2, efficiently bound to this sequence, suggesting its involvement in the regulation of the early Pax2 enhancer. Starting at the four-somite stage, Pax2 is expressed at the MHB under the control of two enhancers located at –4.1 kb and –2.8 kb. The distal late enhancer contains a 102 bp sequence that is not only highly conserved between the mouse and pufferfish Pax2 genes, but also contributes to the enhancer activity of both genes in transgenic mice. The proximal 410 bp enhancer, which overlaps with a kidney-specific regulatory element, contains a functional Pax2/5/8-binding site and thus maintains Pax2 expression at the MHB under auto- and cross-regulatory control by Pax2/5/8 proteins. Importantly, the early and proximal late enhancers are not only sufficient but also necessary for expression at the MHB in the genomic context of the Pax2 locus, as their specific deletion interfered with correct temporal expression of a large Pax2 BAC transgene. Hence, separate enhancers under the control of distinct transcription factors activate and maintain Pax2 expression at the MHB.

Phosphorylation of Pax2 by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and enhanced Pax2-dependent transcription activation

The Pax gene family encodes DNA-binding proteins that can both activate and repress transcription of specific target genes during embryonic development. Pax proteins are required for pattern formation and cell differentiation in a broad spectrum of developing tissues. Consistent with its expression in the intermediate mesoderm, the optic cup and stalk, and the otic vesicle, Pax2, a member of the Pax2/5/8 subfamily, is essential for the development of the renal epithelia, the optic cup, and the inner ear. In addition to a DNA binding domain, the Pax2 protein contains a carboxyl-terminal transactivation domain rich in serine, threonine, and tyrosine. In this report, we demonstrate that the Pax2 transactivation domain is phosphorylated by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase, but not the ERK1/2 or p38 MAP kinases and that phosphorylation is coincident with increased transactivation of a Pax2-dependent reporter gene. Activation of JNK by either upstream kinase MEKK1 or DLK or by expression of Wnt signaling proteins significantly enhances Pax2 phosphorylation in cells. In vitro kinase assays using immunoprecipitated JNK or constitutively active, recombinant JNK show phosphorylation of GST-Pax2 fusion proteins. In transfected cells, phosphorylation of Pax2 correlates with increased transactivation of a Pax2-dependent reporter gene, suggesting that serine/threonine phosphorylation of the transactivation domain is important for Pax2 activity. Pax2 can form a complex with the JNK scaffolding protein JIP1, and this interaction is enhanced by activation of the JNK signaling module with the upstream kinase DLK. The data demonstrate that Pax2 is a new target for the JNK signaling module and point to a novel mechanism for mediating Pax-dependent transcription regulation.

Functional equivalency of amphioxus and vertebrate Pax258 transcription factors suggests that the activation of mid-hindbrain specific genes in vertebrates occurs via the recruitment of Pax regulatory elements

Pax genes encode transcription factors that control key developmental decisions in various animal phyla. The Pax2/5/8 subfamily plays a key role in specification and/or maintenance of vertebrate mid-hindbrain boundary (MHB) region by directly regulating expression of other genes, most notably En2. In the invertebrate chordate amphioxus, expression of AmphiPax2/5/8 is found in many sites that are homologous to the regions of the vertebrate embryo expressing orthologous genes Pax2, Pax5 or Pax8. However, no co-expression of AmphiPax2/5/8 and AmphiEn is detected in the region of the neural tube that might correspond to the vertebrate MHB. Based on this observation and the absence of AmphiWnt expression in this region it appears that amphioxus does not have a MHB. Here we investigated the possibility that the AmphiPax2/5/8, as a key component of MHB development, has lost some of the properties of its vertebrate counterparts. We have analyzed both the DNA-binding and transactivation properties of AmphiPax2/5/8 as well as its ability to interact with the groucho co-repressor. In all these assays AmphiPax2/5/8 is indistinguishable from the human Pax5. In addition, we found two alternatively spliced AmphiPax2/5/8 isoforms that function similarly to the alternatively spliced isoforms of human Pax8. Analysis of the AmphiEn regulatory region provided no evidence for AmphiPax2/5/8 binding and transactivation. Therefore, in amphioxus, AmphiPax2/5/8, although capable of performing all the necessary functions has not been recruited for a developmental mechanism which usually sets up MHB development in vertebrates.

Growth and death in the developing mammalian kidney: signals, receptors and conversations

Because the kidney (metanephros) starts to function before completing development, its patterning and morphogenesis need to be closely integrated with its growth. This is achieved by blast cells at the kidney periphery generating new nephrons that link up to the extending collecting-duct arborisation, while earlier-formed and more internal nephrons are maturing and beginning to filter serum. This pattern of development requires that cell division and apoptosis be co-ordinated in the various kidney compartments (collecting-ducts, blast cells, metanephric mesenchyme, nephrons and vascular system). The underlying regulatory networks for cell proliferation are beginning to be unravelled, mainly through expression studies, mutation analysis and experimentation in vitro. This article summarises current knowledge of kidney growth and apoptosis, and analyses some of the 80 or so ligand-receptor pairings that seem to sustain development and growth. It also points to some unanswered questions, the most intriguing being what role does apoptosis play during normal kidney development?

Temporal sequence of gene expression leading caudal prosencephalon to develop a midbrain/hindbrain phenotype

Transplantation of prosomeres 1-2 into the cerebellar plate were used, by using chick/quail chimeras, to analyse the temporal sequence of the genetic cascade leading the graft to develop a midbrain/hindbrain phenotype. Our results show that (1) at Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stage 13, Pax2 and En2 are already induced within the graft, before all other genes of the cascade, whereas misexpression of Fgf8 is also observed within the contiguous host cerebellar plate; (2) within the graft, Otx2 repression and Gbx2 induction (see Hidalgo-Sánchez et al. [1999] Development 126:3191-3203) are secondary events that affect, from stages HH14-15, the areas in contact with the host Gbx2/Fgf8-expressing cerebellar plate; (3) at these stages, the repressed Otx2 territory extends beyond the areas induced to express Gbx2, with the two territories not abutting before HH17-18; (4) Fgf8 expression becomes progressively induced within the Otx2-repressed/Gbx2-induced territory, starting at HH15-16. Our results support the hypothesis that the host-Gbx2/graft-Otx2 interface could trigger the genetic cascade induced within the graft and that the Gbx2-induced domain could play a key role during the establishment of the induced intragraft midbrain/hindbrain boundary.

Renal-coloboma syndrome: report of a novel PAX2 gene mutation

PURPOSE

To report a novel sporadic PAX2 gene mutation in a child with atypical bilateral optic nerve coloboma and congenital renal hypoplasia.

DESIGN

Observational case report and experimental study.

METHODS

Mutational analysis of the PAX2 gene in a family.

RESULTS

A 9-year-old patient with a history of renal transplantation for congenital renal hypoplasia was found to have bilateral optic nerve coloboma during ophthalmic examination for cytomegalovirus retinitis. A previously unreported mutation in exon 2, delT 602 leading to a prematurely truncated protein was identified in the child but in neither of her parents, demonstrating a de novo mutation or germline mosaicism.

CONCLUSIONS

The causal relationship between PAX2 gene mutations and renal-coloboma syndrome is further supported by this novel mutation. Awareness of the systemic associations with optic nerve abnormalities and the ocular findings in syndromic renal diseases will facilitate the management of these highly variable disorders.

Distinct regulators control the expression of the mid-hindbrain organizer signal FGF8

Local expression of FGF8 at the mid/hindbrain boundary (MHB) governs the development of multiple neurons and support cells. Here we show that the paired-domain protein Pax2 is necessary and sufficient for the induction of FGF8 in part by regulating the expression of Pax5&8. A network of transcription and secreted factors, including En1, Otx2, Gbx2, Grg4 and Wnt1&4, that is established independently of Pax2, further refines the expression domain and level of FGF8 at the MHB through opposing effects on Pax2 activity. Our results indicate that the expression of local organizing factors is controlled by combinatorial interaction between inductive and modulatory factors.

Regulation of ureteric bud outgrowth by Pax2-dependent activation of the glial derived neurotrophic factor gene

The outgrowth of the ureteric bud from the posterior nephric duct epithelium and the subsequent invasion of the bud into the metanephric mesenchyme initiate the process of metanephric, or adult kidney, development. The receptor tyrosine kinase RET and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) form a signaling complex that is essential for ureteric bud growth and branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud epithelium. We demonstrate that Pax2 expression in the metanephric mesenchyme is independent of induction by the ureteric bud. Pax2 mutants are deficient in ureteric bud outgrowth and do not express GDNF in the uninduced metanephric mesenchyme. Furthermore, Pax2 mutant mesenchyme is unresponsive to induction by wild-type heterologous inducers. In normal embryos, GDNF is sufficient to induce ectopic ureter buds in the posterior nephric duct, a process inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein 4. However, GDNF replacement in organ culture is not sufficient to stimulate ureteric bud outgrowth from Pax2 mutant nephric ducts, indicating additional defects in the nephric duct epithelium of Pax2 mutants. Pax2 can activate expression of GDNF in cell lines derived from embryonic metanephroi. Furthermore, Pax2 protein can bind to upstream regulatory elements within the GDNF promoter region and can transactivate expression of reporter genes. Thus, activation of GDNF by Pax2 coordinates the position and outgrowth of the ureteric bud such that kidney development can begin.