An Fgf8 mutant allelic series generated by Cre- and Flp-mediated recombination

Overlapping and distinct functions provided by fgf17, a new zebrafish member of the Fgf8/17/18 subgroup of Fgfs

Members of the fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) family are important signaling molecules in several inductive and patterning processes, and act as brain organizer-derived signals during formation of the early vertebrate nervous system. We isolated a new member of the Fgf8/17/18 subgroup of Fgfs from the zebrafish, and studied its expression and function during somitogenesis, optic stalk and midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) development. In spite of a slightly higher aminoacid similarity to Fgf8, expression analysis and mapping to a chromosome stretch that is syntenic with mammalian chromosomes shows that this gene is orthologous to mammalian Fgf17. These data provide a further example of conserved chromosomal organization between zebrafish and mammalian genomes. Using an mRNA injection assay, we show that fgf17 can act similar to fgf8 during gastrulation, when fgf17 is not normally expressed. Direct comparison of the expression patterns of fgf17 and fgf8 suggest however a possible cooperation of these Fgfs at later stages in several tissues requiring Fgf signaling. Analysis of zebrafish MHB mutants demonstrates a gene-dosage dependent requirement of fgf17 expression for the no isthmus// pax2.1 gene, showing that no isthmus/pax2.1 functions upstream of fgf17 at the MHB in a haplo-insufficient manner, similar to what has been reported for mammalian pax2 mutants. In contrast, only maintenance of fgf17 expression is disturbed at the MHB of acerebellar/fgf8 mutants. Consistent with a requirement for fgf8 function, implantation of FGF8-soaked beads induces fgf17 expression, and expression is upregulated in aussicht mutants, which display upregulation of the Fgf8 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results argue that Fgf8 and Fgf17 act as hierarchically organized signaling molecules during development of the MHB organizer and possibly other organizers in the developing nervous system.

Disruption of the gene encoding the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcM4 has no effect on proliferation and in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcM4, which is identical to the human enzyme UbcH7, was previously shown to be essential for normal mouse development. In order to study the possible role of UbcM4 for cell proliferation and in vitro differentiation, we here describe the establishment and characterization of fibroblast and embryonic stem cell lines with partial or complete inactivation of the UbcM4 gene. ES cell lines in which both alleles of the gene were inactivated by targeted mutagenesis showed no differences in growth rates, cell cycle progression and in vitro differentiation when compared to wild-type ES cells. Fibroblast cell lines with a partially inactivated UbcM4 gene were derived from embryos of the previously described A6 mouse mutant, where retrovirus integration has resulted in a recessive lethal mutation. As in the mutant embryos, steady levels of RNA and protein in the cell lines were reduced by about 70%. The mutant cell lines showed no differences in immortalization kinetics, growth rates and cell cycle progression when compared to wild-type fibroblasts. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that UbcM4-mediated ubiquitination and degradation are not necessary for proteins involved in the maintenance and growth of cells.

The Cre-loxP system: a versatile tool for targeting genes in a cell- and stage-specific manner

Gene-targeted mice, derived from embryonic stem cells, are useful tools to study gene function during development. However, if the inactivation of the target gene results in embryonic lethality, the postdevelopmental function of the gene cannot be further studied. The Cre recombinase-loxP (Cre-loxP) system was developed to overcome this limitation as well as to confine the inactivation of the target gene in a cell- or tissue-specific manner. This system allows for the inactivation of the target gene in a single cell type, thereby allowing the analysis of physiological and pathophysiological consequences of the genetic alteration in mature animals. A unique property of the insulin gene to be expressed only in pancreatic beta cells has allowed using the beta-cell-specific rat insulin promoter (RIP) for Cre recombinase expression to inactivate genes in beta cells. The RIP has been used to inactivate genes in beta cells and analysis of these genetically altered mice has provided important information regarding the role of potential transcription factors and the receptors in vivo, for regulation of insulin gene transcription and in the development of beta cells. The Cre-loxP system is at a relatively early stage of development, and the ability of this technique to virtually target any gene in any tissue at any stage of development makes the study of gene function in a single cell type in vivo an attainable goal. It is anticipated that the continued experience with this system will provide an important tool to determine the role of the transcription factors involved in insulin gene regulation and islet cell differentiation and ultimately provide the basis for novel therapy to treat diabetes.

Mesenchymal/epithelial induction mediates olfactory pathway formation

In the olfactory pathway, as in the limbs, branchial arches, and heart, mesenchymal/epithelial induction, mediated by retinoic acid (RA), FGF8, sonic hedgehog (shh), and the BMPs, defines patterning, morphogenesis, and differentiation. Neuronal differentiation in the olfactory epithelium and directed growth of axons in the nascent olfactory nerve depend critically upon this inductive interaction. When RA, FGF8, shh, or BMP signaling is disrupted, distinct aspects of olfactory pathway patterning and differentiation are compromised. Thus, a cellular and molecular mechanism that facilitates musculoskeletal and vascular development elsewhere in the embryo has been adapted to guide the differentiation of the olfactory pathway in the developing forebrain.

Autosomal dominant hypophosphataemic rickets is associated with mutations in FGF23

Proper serum phosphate concentrations are maintained by a complex and poorly understood process. Identification of genes responsible for inherited disorders involving disturbances in phosphate homeostasis may provide insight into the pathways that regulate phosphate balance. Several hereditary disorders of isolated phosphate wasting have been described, including X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (XLH), hypophosphataemic bone disease (HBD), hereditary hypophosphataemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) and autosomal dominant hypophosphataemic rickets (ADHR). Inactivating mutations of the gene PHEX, encoding a member of the neutral endopeptidase family of proteins, are responsible for XLH (refs 6,7). ADHR (MIM 193100) is characterized by low serum phosphorus concentrations, rickets, osteomalacia, lower extremity deformities, short stature, bone pain and dental abscesses. Here we describe a positional cloning approach used to identify the ADHR gene which included the annotation of 37 genes within 4 Mb of genomic sequence. We identified missense mutations in a gene encoding a new member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, FGF23. These mutations in patients with ADHR represent the first mutations found in a human FGF gene.

Cre-mediated germline mosaicism: a method allowing rapid generation of several alleles of a target gene

Conditional gene targeting uses the insertion of expression cassettes for the selection of targeted embryonic stem cells. The presence of these cassettes in the final targeted chromosomal locus may affect the normal expression of the targeted gene and produce interesting knock down phenotypes. We show here that the selection cassette may then be selectively removed in vivo, using three appropriately positioned loxP sites in the targeted gene and the transgenic mouse EIIaCre. This strategy was applied to two different target genes and we demonstrated that it is reliable and reproducible. First, we generated double transgenic EIIaCre/loxP mice (F1) that showed variable degrees of mosaicism for partially CRE-recombined floxed alleles. Efficiency of EIIaCre at creating mosaicism was dependent on the target gene and on parental transmission of the transgene. The segregation of partially recombined alleles and EIIaCre transgene was obtained in the next generation using mosaic F1 males. Mosaic females were unsuitable for this purpose because they systematically generated complete excisions during oogenesis. Our strategy is applicable to other approaches based on three loxP sites. As this procedure allows generation of knock down (presence of neo), knockout (total exision of the loxP-flanked sequences) and floxed substrains (excision of the selection cassette) from a single, targeted germline mutation and in a single experiment, its use may become more widespread in conditional mutagenesis.

Dmrt1, a gene related to worm and fly sexual regulators, is required for mammalian testis differentiation

The only molecular similarity in sex determination found so far among phyla is between the Drosophila doublesex (dsx) and Caenorhabditis elegans mab-3 genes. dsx and mab-3 contain a zinc finger-like DNA-binding motif called the DM domain, perform several related regulatory functions, and are at least partially interchangeable in vivo. A DM domain gene called Dmrt1 has been implicated in male gonad development in a variety of vertebrates, on the basis of embryonic expression and chromosomal location. Such evidence is highly suggestive of a conserved role(s) for Dmrt1 in vertebrate sexual development, but there has been no functional analysis of this gene in any species. Here we show that murine Dmrt1 is essential for postnatal testis differentiation, with mutant phenotypes similar to those caused by human chromosome 9p deletions that remove the gene. As in the case of 9p deletions, Dmrt1 is dispensable for ovary development in the mouse. Thus, as in invertebrates, a DM domain gene regulates vertebrate male development.

Stem Cells and Neuronal Progenitors and Their Diversity in the CNS: Are Time and Place Important?

Stem cells are multilineage progenitor cells that are capable of self-regenerating and giving rise to different cell types. The proper assembly of the CNS into functionally relevant circuits requires that stem cells produce the right types of cells in the right number and position at the appropriate time. We suggest that the positional specification of stem cells is provided by the pattern of expression of early transcriptional regulators along the body axes. These mechanisms restrict the competence of stem cells to programming a local cellular repertoire. Conversely, we argue that the specification of different cell types in the appropriate number and sequence is independently carried out within CNS domains by subprograms that progressively change the intrinsic properties of the stem cells. Temporal changes in proliferation and differentiation of stem cells are controlled by cascades of extracellular signals and basic helix-loop-helix (bHlH) transcription factors. These regulators in turn may activate homeodomain transcription factors with more restricted effector functions. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are among the earliest acting signals providing local changes in growth within the developing CNS. Basic FGF (FGF2) increases the proliferation of either stem cells or their immediate progeny, increasing the number of founder cells in the developing cerebral cortex.

Regulation and function of FGF8 in patterning of midbrain and anterior hindbrain

In this article, an adjunct to a platform presentation at the Winternational 2000 Symposium, we summarize the recent findings of this group concerning the regulation and functions of FGF8 expressed at the isthmus of the developing brain. We show that several different FGF8 isoforms, ectopically expressed in midbrain or posterior forebrain, are able to mimic the proliferative and patterning functions previously attributed to the isthmus in tissue grafting studies. Moreover, we also show that FGF8 protein is sufficient to induce an ectopic isthmic organiser (Fgf-8+, Gbx2+) in anterior midbrain. We also provide evidence that isthmic FGF8 patterns anterior hindbrain, repressing Hox-a2 expression and setting aside a territory of the brain that includes the cerebellar anlage. We show that these effects of FGF8 are likely to be mediated via FGFR1 and be modulated by the putative FGF antagonist, Sprouty2, identified using a differential display screen. Finally, we provide evidence that the onset of Fgf8 expression is regulated by En1 and that its expression at the isthmus is subsequently maintained by a specific and direct interaction between rhombomere 1 and midbrain.

Thymus organogenesis and molecular mechanisms of thymic epithelial cell differentiation

In the mature thymus, thymocyte maturation depends on interactions with different thymic epithelial subtypes in a three-dimensional thymic architecture. However, the molecular mechanisms that generate these epithelial subtypes are not well understood. Evidence is accumulating that during fetal thymus development, epithelial cells differentiate by successive interactions with differentiating thymocytes. This review presents fetal thymus development as a process of organogenesis, the main function of which is to promote thymic epithelial cell differentiation and the generation of a functional thymic microenvironment. In this model, endoderm-derived epithelial cells are the driving force in generating the thymic primordium, with hematopoietic cells providing later signals that organize and pattern the developing thymus.

Functional equivalence of the transcription factors Pax2 and Pax5 in mouse development

Pax2 and Pax5 arose by gene duplication at the onset of vertebrate evolution and have since diverged in their developmental expression patterns. They are expressed in different organs of the mouse embryo except for their coexpression at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), which functions as an organizing center to control midbrain and cerebellum development. During MHB development, Pax2 expression is initiated prior to Pax5 transcription, and Pax2(−/−) embryos fail to generate the posterior midbrain and cerebellum, whereas Pax5(−/−) mice exhibit only minor patterning defects in the same brain regions. To investigate whether these contrasting phenotypes are caused by differences in the temporal expression or biochemical activity of these two transcription factors, we have generated a knock-in (ki) mouse, which expresses a Pax5 minigene under the control of the Pax2 locus. Midbrain and cerebellum development was entirely rescued in Pax2(5ki/5ki) embryos. Pax5 could furthermore completely substitute for the Pax2 function during morphogenesis of the inner ear and genital tracts, despite the fact that the Pax5 transcript of the Pax2(5ki)allele was expressed only at a fivefold lower level than the wild-type Pax2 mRNA. As a consequence, the Pax2(5ki)allele was able to rescue most but not all Pax2 mutant defects in the developing eye and kidney, both of which are known to be highly sensitive to Pax2 protein dosage. Together these data demonstrate that the transcription factors Pax2 and Pax5 have maintained equivalent biochemical functions since their divergence early in vertebrate evolution.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is necessary for the integration of hepatic energy metabolism

We used an allelogenic Cre/loxP gene targeting strategy in mice to determine the role of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in hepatic energy metabolism. Mice that lack this enzyme die within 3 days of birth, while mice with at least a 90% global reduction of PEPCK, or a liver-specific knockout of PEPCK, are viable. Surprisingly, in both cases these animals remain euglycemic after a 24-h fast. However, mice without hepatic PEPCK develop hepatic steatosis after fasting despite up-regulation of a variety of genes encoding free fatty acid-oxidizing enzymes. Also, marked alterations in the expression of hepatic genes involved in energy metabolism occur in the absence of any changes in plasma hormone concentrations. Given that a ninefold elevation of the hepatic malate concentration occurs in the liver-specific PEPCK knockout mice, we suggest that one or more intermediary metabolites may directly regulate expression of the affected genes. Thus, hepatic PEPCK may function more as an integrator of hepatic energy metabolism than as a determinant of gluconeogenesis.

Fibroblast growth factor signaling is required for the proliferation and patterning of progenitor cells in the developing anterior pituitary

The proliferation and patterning of progenitor cells in the anterior pituitary require signals derived from the neuroepithelium of the juxtaposed infundibulum. The infundibulum expresses Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) 8 and Fgf 18, and FGFs can mimic some of the activities of the infundibulum. The requirement for FGF signaling during growth and patterning of the anterior pituitary has not, however, been established. By blocking FGF receptor signaling in explants of the anterior pituitary cultured in vitro we provide evidence that FGF signaling derived from the infundibulum is required for the proliferation and patterning of progenitor cells in the anterior pituitary.

Signaling specificities of fibroblast growth factor receptors in early Xenopus embryo

Formation of mesoderm and posterior structures in early Xenopus embryos is dependent on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Although several FGF receptors (FGFRs) are expressed in the early embryo, their respective role in these processes remains poorly understood. We provide evidence that FGFR-1 and FGFR-4 signals elicit distinct responses both in naive and neuralized ectodermal cells. We show that naive ectodermal cells expressing a constitutively active chimeric torso-FGFR-1 (t-R1) are converted into mesoderm in a Ras-dependent manner, while those expressing torso-FGFR-4 (t-R4) differentiate into epidermis without significant activation of Erk-1. In neuralized ectoderm, expression of t-R4 causes the up-regulation of the midbrain markers En-2 and Wnt-1, but not of the hindbrain nor the spinal cord markers Krox20 and Hoxb9. Mutation of tyr(776) in the phospholipase C-(gamma) binding consensus sequence YLDL of t-R4 completely abolishes En-2 and Wnt-1 induction. In contrast to t-R4, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-dependent FGFR-1 activation in neuralized ectodermal cells expressing a chimeric PDGFR-FGFR-1 receptor results in the expression of Krox20 and Hoxb9. A similar effect is observed when an inducible form of oncogenic Raf is expressed, therefore implicating FGFR-1 and Raf in the transduction of FGF-caudalizing signals in neural tissue. Our results suggest that FGFR-1 and FGFR-4 transduce distinct signals in embryonic cells, and mainly differ in their ability to activate the Ras/MAPK pathway.

Generation of mouse mutants as a tool for functional genomics

As sequence information becomes available from the Human Genome Project, key developments include systematic methods for assigning function to each of the 100,000 or so genes. Strategies for coping with this sequence information, including microarray analysis and proteomics, will further our understanding of how genes function and interact. Ultimately, however, the simplest way to understand how a gene works is to examine the consequences of interference with its function: mutational analysis. The mouse represents the model organism of choice in the analysis of gene function; close enough to human to represent a satisfactory model organism, yet relatively easy to manipulate at a genetic level. Two complementary approaches, genotype- and phenotype-based, have been established in the mouse genetics and genomics communities to systematically generate new mouse mutations. Genotype-based approaches are advantageous in that molecular analysis of mutations is facilitated. Phenotypic analysis, however, is often assumed based on gene expression patterns, often leading to unexpected results. Phenotype-based approaches do not make prior assumptions about gene function. Often, however, it may be difficult to define the underlying genetic lesion. Progress in each of these approaches will be considered and situations in which they might be mutually beneficial will be investigated.

Sonic hedgehog signaling at gastrula stages specifies ventral telencephalic cells in the chick embryo

A secreted signaling factor, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), has a crucial role in the generation of ventral cell types along the entire rostrocaudal axis of the neural tube. At caudal levels of the neuraxis, Shh is secreted by the notochord and floor plate during the period that ventral cell fates are specified. At anterior prosencephalic levels that give rise to the telencephalon, however, neither the prechordal mesoderm nor the ventral neural tube expresses Shh at the time that the overt ventral character of the telencephalon becomes evident. Thus, the precise role and timing of Shh signaling relevant to the specification of ventral telencephalic identity remains unclear. By analysing neural cell differentiation in chick neural plate explants we provide evidence that neural cells acquire molecular properties characteristic of the ventral telencephalon in response to Shh signals derived from the anterior primitive streak/Hensen's node region at gastrula stages. Exposure of prospective anterior prosencephalic cells to Shh at this early stage is sufficient to initiate a temporal program of differentiation that parallels that of neurons generated normally in the medial ganglionic eminence subdivision of the ventral telencephalon.

Retinoid signalling and hindbrain patterning

Retinoid signalling has been implicated in regulating a wide variety of processes in vertebrate development. Recent advances from analyses on the synthesis, degradation and distribution of retinoids in combination with functional analysis of signalling components have provided important insights into the regulation of patterning the nervous system and the hindbrain in particular.

The homeobox gene Hesx1 is required in the anterior neural ectoderm for normal forebrain formation

The homeobox gene Hesx1 is expressed in the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE), anterior axial mesendoderm (AME), and anterior neural ectoderm (ANE) during early mouse embryogenesis. Previous studies have shown that Hesx1 is essential for normal murine forebrain development. Hesx1 homozygous mutants showed variable forebrain truncations ranging from mild to severe lack of forebrain tissue. Here, we have investigated the requirement of Hesx1 in the AVE, AME, and ANE using chimeric and in situ hybridization analyses to understand better the nature of the forebrain defects. Chimeric embryos composed predominantly of Hesx1(+/+) cells developing within Hesx1(-/-) visceral endoderm showed no evident forebrain abnormalities. In contrast, injection of Hesx1(-/-) ES cells into wild-type blastocysts gave rise to chimeras with forebrain defects similar to those observed in the Hesx1(-/-) mutants. RNA in situ hybridization analysis showed that the AVE and AME markers Cerrl, Lim1, and Shh were normally expressed in 6.5- and 7.5-dpc Hesx1(-/-) mutants. Expression of the ANE markers Six3 and Rax/Rx was also unperturbed in the Hesx1(-/-) mutants from late gastrula to late headfold stages. However, transcripts for both genes were markedly reduced by the early somite stage, about 24 h after Hesx1 is first expressed in the ANE. Therefore, Hesx1 seems to be required autonomously in the ANE for normal forebrain formation.

A targeted partial invalidation of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene in mice causes a postnatal growth deficit

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a major regulator of somatic growth in vertebrates. Both ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II) signal via the same IGF receptor (IGF-IR). Classical IGF-IR invalidation is lethal at birth, so that conditional models are needed to study the postnatal role of this receptor. To establish a genetically inducible invalidation of IGF-IR, we targeted the IGF-IR gene using a construct that introduced a neomycin resistance cassette into intron 2, leaving the rest of the gene intact. This neomycin resistance cassette interfered with the processing of the primary transcript, resulting in there being 12% fewer IGF-binding sites at the cell surface in heterozygous mice and 41% fewer in homozygous mice. Hetero- and homozygous offspring grew more slowly than their wild-type littermates. This difference was noticeable from 4 weeks after birth and was significant from 5 weeks after birth in males. In females, the effect on postnatal growth of insertion of the neo cassette was not significant. In males, IGF-I levels increased moderately (+26%) but significantly, indicating effective feedback regulation of the IGF system. IGF-binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) levels, estimated by Western ligand blotting, were low in homozygotes (-38%), whereas IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 levels were unaffected. In females, IGF-I and IGFBP-1, -2, -3, and -4 levels did not differ significantly among heterozygous, homozygous, and wild-type animals. We investigated the molecular mechanism involved and characterized two RNA-splicing events that could account for the decrease in IGF-IR. The phenotype of these mice developed exclusively postnatally, and body proportions were maintained. IGF-IRneo mice constitute a new model for human postnatal growth deficiency.

Bcl-x and Bax regulate mouse primordial germ cell survival and apoptosis during embryogenesis

Restricted germ cell loss through apoptosis is initiated in the fetal gonad around embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) as part of normal germ cell development. The mechanism of this germ cell attrition is unknown. We show that Bcl-x plays a crucial role in maintaining the survival of mouse germ cells during gonadogenesis. A bcl-x hypomorphic mouse was generated through the introduction of a neomycin (neo) gene into the promoter of the bcl-x gene by homologous recombination. Mice that contained two copies of the hypomorphic allele had severe reproductive defects attributed to compromised germ cell development. Males with two mutant alleles lacked spermatogonia and were sterile; females showed a severely reduced population of primordial and primary follicles and exhibited greatly impaired fertility. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in bcl-x hypomorph mice migrated to the genital ridge by E12.5 but were depleted by E15.5, a time when Bcl-x and Bax were present. Two additional bcl-x transcripts were identified in fetal germ cells more than 300 bp upstream of previously reported start sites. Insertion of a neo cassette led to a down-regulation of the bcl-x gene at E12.5 in the hypomorph. Bax was detected by immunohistochemistry in germ cells from bcl-x hypomorph and control testes at E12.5 and E13.5. Bcl-x function was restored, and animals of both genders were fertile after removal of the neo selection cassette using Cre-mediated recombination. Alternatively, the loss of Bcl-x function in the hypomorph was corrected by the deletion of both copies of the bax gene, resulting in a restoration of germ cell survival. These findings demonstrate that the balance of Bcl-x and Bax control PGC survival and apoptosis.

Targeting of cre to the Foxg1 (BF-1) locus mediates loxP recombination in the telencephalon and other developing head structures

The use of genetics to study the development of the telencephalon and derivatives such as the cerebral cortex has been limited. The telencephalon begins to form midway through gestation, and targeted mutations in genes suspected of playing roles in its development often lead to early phenotypes that preclude analysis of their role at later stages. This problem can be circumvented using a Cre/loxP recombination system. A mouse line was produced in which cre was targeted to the Foxg1 (BF-1) locus, a gene expressed specifically in the telencephalon and discrete head structures. Crosses between Foxg1-Cre mice and three separate loxP reporter mice generated embryos with recombination patterns matching that expected from the normal pattern of Foxg1 expression. Recombination occurs invariably in the telencephalon, anterior optic vesicle, otic vesicle, facial and head ectoderm, olfactory epithelium, mid-hindbrain junction, and pharyngeal pouches. Recombination in some animals also occurs less efficiently in tissues not known to express Foxg1. We show that the genetic background of the parental mice and the loxP target allele can each contribute to differences in the exact pattern of recombination. Collectively, these data show that Foxg1-Cre mice should be useful in the deletion or ectopic expression of any floxed target gene in a Foxg1-like pattern.

Ace/Fgf8 is required for forebrain commissure formation and patterning of the telencephalon

Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) form a large family of secreted signalling proteins that have a wide variety of roles during embryonic development. Within the central nervous system (CNS) Fgf8 is implicated in patterning neural tissue adjacent to the midbrain-hindbrain boundary. However, the roles of Fgfs in CNS tissue rostral to the midbrain are less clear. Here we examine the patterning of the forebrain in zebrafish embryos that lack functional Fgf8/Ace. We find that Ace is required for the development of midline structures in the forebrain. In the absence of Ace activity, midline cells fail to adopt their normal morphology and exhibit altered patterns of gene expression. This disruption to midline tissue leads to severe commissural axon pathway defects, including misprojections from the eye to ectopic ipsilateral and contralateral targets. Ace is also required for the differentiation of the basal telencephalon and several populations of putative telencephalic neurons but not for overall regional patterning of forebrain derivatives. Finally, we show that ace expression co-localises with anterior neural plate cells that have previously been shown to have forebrain patterning activity. Removal of these cells leads to a failure in induction of ace expression indicating that loss of Ace activity may contribute to the phenotypes observed when anterior neural plate cells are ablated. However, as ace mutant neural plate cells still retain at least some inductive activity, then other signals must also be produced by the anterior margin of the neural plate.

Mouse numb is an essential gene involved in cortical neurogenesis

During neurogenesis of the mammalian neocortex, neural progenitor cells divide to generate daughter cells that either become neurons or remain as progenitor cells. The mouse numb (m-numb) gene encodes a membrane-associated protein that is asymmetrically localized to the apical cell membrane of dividing cortical progenitor cells and may be segregated to only the apical daughter cell that has been suggested to remain as a progenitor cell. To examine m-numb function during neural development, we generated a loss-of-function mutant allele of m-numb. Mice homozygous for this mutation exhibit severe defects in cranial neural tube closure and precocious neuron production in the forebrain and die around embryonic day 11.5 (E11. 5). These findings suggest that m-numb is an essential gene that plays a role in promoting progenitor cell fate during cortical neurogenesis.

Molecular analysis of external genitalia formation: the role of fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) genes during genital tubercle formation

The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the external genitalia in mammals have been very little examined. Recent gene knockout studies have suggested that the developmental processes of its anlage, the genital tubercle (GT), have much in common with those of limb buds. The Fgf genes have been postulated as regulating several downstream genes during organogenesis. Fgf8 was expressed in the distal urethral plate epithelium of the genital tubercle (GT) together with other markers such as the Msx1, Fgf10, Hoxd13 and Bmp4 expressed in the mesenchyme. To analyze the role of the FGF system during GT formation, an in vitro organ culture system was utilized. It is suggested that the distal urethral plate epithelium of GT, the Fgf8-expressing region, regulates the outgrowth of GT. Ectopic application of FGF8 beads to the murine GT induced mesenchymal gene expression, and also promoted the outgrowth of the GT. Experiments utilizing anti-FGF neutralizing antibody suggested a growth-promoting role for FGF protein(s) in GT outgrowth. In contrast, despite its vital role during limb-bud formation, Fgf10 appears not to be primarily essential for initial outgrowth of GT, as extrapolated from Fgf10(−/−) GTs. However, the abnormal external genitalia development of Fgf10(−/−) perinatal mice suggested the importance of Fgf10 in the development of the glans penis and the glans clitoridis. These results suggest that the FGF system is a key element in orchestrating GT development.

Multiple functions of fibroblast growth factor-8 (FGF-8) in chick eye development

Fibroblast growth factor-8 (FGF-8) is an important signaling molecule in the generation and patterning of the midbrain, tooth, and limb. In this study we show that it is also involved in eye development. In the chick, Fgf-8 transcripts first appear in the distal optic vesicle when it contacts the head ectoderm. Subsequently Fgf-8 expression increases and becomes localized to the central area of the presumptive neural retina (NR) only. Application of FGF-8 has two main effects on the eye. First, it converts presumptive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) into NR. This is apparent by the failure to express Bmp-7 and Mitf (a marker gene for the RPE) in the outer layer of the optic cup, coupled with the induction of NR genes, such as Rx, Sgx-1 and Fgf-8 itself. The induced retina displays the typical multilayered cytoarchitecture and expresses late neuronal differentiation markers such as synaptotagmin and islet-1. The second effect of FGF-8 exposure is the induction of both lens formation and lens fiber differentiation. This is apparent by the expression of a lens specific marker, L-Maf, and by morphological changes of lens cells. These results suggest that FGF-8 plays a role in the initiation and differentiation of neural retina and lens.

The homeobox gene Hex is required in definitive endodermal tissues for normal forebrain, liver and thyroid formation

The homeobox gene Hex is expressed in the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) and rostral definitive endoderm of early mouse embryos. Later, Hex transcripts are detected in liver, thyroid and endothelial precursor cells. A null mutation was introduced into the Hex locus by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Hex mutant embryos exhibit varying degrees of anterior truncation as well as liver and thyroid dysplasia. The liver diverticulum is formed but migration of hepatocytes into the septum transversum fails to occur. Development of the thyroid is arrested at the thyroid bud stage at 9.5 dpc. Brain defects are restricted to the rostral forebrain and have a caudal limit at the zona limitans intrathalamica, the boundary between dorsal and ventral thalamus. Analysis of Hex(−/−) mutants at early stages shows that the prospective forebrain ectoderm is correctly induced and patterned at 7.5 days post coitum (dpc), but subsequently fails to develop. AVE markers are expressed and correctly positioned but development of rostral definitive endoderm is greatly disturbed in Hex(−/−) embryos. Chimeric embryos composed of Hex(−/−) cells developing within a wild-type visceral endoderm show forebrain defects indicating that Hex is required in the definitive endoderm. All together, these results demonstrate that Hex function is essential in definitive endoderm for normal development of the forebrain, liver and thyroid gland.

Disruption of the murine calpain small subunit gene, Capn4: calpain is essential for embryonic development but not for cell growth and division

Calpains are a family of Ca(2+)-dependent intracellular cysteine proteases, including the ubiquitously expressed micro- and m-calpains. Both mu- and m-calpains are heterodimers, consisting of a distinct large 80-kDa catalytic subunit, encoded by the genes Capn1 and Capn2, and a common small 28-kDa regulatory subunit (Capn4). The physiological roles and possible functional distinctions of mu- and m-calpains remain unclear, but suggested functions include participation in cell division and migration, integrin-mediated signal transduction, apoptosis, and regulation of cellular control proteins such as cyclin D1 and p53. Homozygous disruption of murine Capn4 eliminated both mu- and m-calpain activities, but this did not affect survival and proliferation of cultured embryonic stem cells or embryonic fibroblasts, or the early stages of organogenesis. However, mutant embryos died at midgestation and displayed defects in the cardiovascular system, hemorrhaging, and accumulation of erythroid progenitors.

Exogenous FGF-4 can suppress anterior development in the mouse embryo during neurulation and early organogenesis

Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of peptide growth factors are widely expressed in the germ layer derivatives during gastrulation and early organogenesis of the mouse. We have investigated the effect of administering recombinant FGF-4 in the late-primitive streak stage embryo to test if the patterning of the body plan may be influenced by this growth factor. Shortly after FGF treatment the embryonic tissues up-regulated the expression of Brachyury and the RTK signaling regulator Spry2, suggesting that FGF signaling was activated as an immediate response to exogenous FGF. Concomitantly, Hesx1 expression was suppressed in the prospective anterior region of the embryo. After 24 h of in vitro development, embryos displayed a dosage-related suppression of forebrain morphogenesis, disruption of the midbrain-hindbrain partition, and inhibition of the differentiation of the embryonic mesoderm. Overall, development of the anterior-posterior axis in the late gastrula is sensitive to the delivery of exogenous FGF-4. The early response associated with the expression of Spry2 suggests that the later phenotype observed could be primarily related to an inhibition of the FGF signaling pathway.

Temporal and spatial gradients of Fgf8 and Fgf17 regulate proliferation and differentiation of midline cerebellar structures

The midbrain-hindbrain (MHB) junction has the properties of an organizer that patterns the MHB region early in vertebrate development. Fgf8 is thought to mediate this organizer function. In addition to Fgf8, Fgf17 and Fgf18 are also expressed in the MHB junction. Fgf17 is expressed later and broader than either Fgf8 or Fgf18. Disrupting the Fgf17 gene in the mouse decreased precursor cell proliferation in the medial cerebellar (vermis) anlage after E11.5. Loss of an additional copy of Fgf8 enhanced the phenotype and accelerated its onset, demonstrating that both molecules cooperate to regulate the size of the precursor pool of cells that develop into the cerebellar vermis. However, expression patterns of Wnt1, En2, Pax5 and Otx2 were not altered suggesting that specification and patterning of MHB tissue was not perturbed and that these FGFs are not required to pattern the vermis at this stage of development. The consequence of this developmental defect is a progressive, dose-dependent loss of the most anterior lobe of the vermis in mice lacking Fgf17 and in mice lacking Fgf17 and one copy of Fgf8. Significantly, the differentiation of anterior vermis neuroepithelium was shifted rostrally and medially demonstrating that FGF also regulates the polarized progression of differentiation in the vermis anlage. Finally, this developmental defect results in an ataxic gait in some mice.

Requirement of LIM domains for LIM1 function in mouse head development

Lim1, also known as Lhx1, encodes a LIM homeodomain transcription factor that is essential for head development in the mouse. As with other LIM homeodomain proteins, LIM1 has two LIM domains located N-terminal to the homeodomain, with each LIM domain containing two zinc finger motifs. LIM domains can physically interact with other proteins to form protein complexes that regulate transcription. Previous studies have suggested that LIM domains negatively regulate the transcriptional activity of their associated homeodomains. To investigate the requirement of LIM domains for LIM1 activity, we have mutated the Lim1 gene to alter the conserved amino acid residues that are required for zinc finger structure within both of the LIM domains. Although mice homozygous for this Lim1 allele express the mutant mRNA and protein appropriately, they are a phenocopy for Lim1-null mice. These results suggest that the integrity of the LIM domains is essential for LIM1 activity in mouse head development. genesis 27:12-21, 2000.

The transcription factor Lmx1b maintains Wnt1 expression within the isthmic organizer

Cells in the caudal mesencephalon and rostral metencephalon become organized by signals emanating from the isthmus organizer (IsO). The IsO is associated with the isthmus, a morphological constriction of the neural tube which eventually defines the mesencephalic/ metencephalic boundary (MMB). Here we report that the transcription factor Lmx1b is expressed and functions in a distinct region of the IsO. Lmx1b expression is maintained by the glycoprotein Fgf8, a signal capable of mediating IsO signaling. Lmx1b, in turn, maintains the expression of the secreted factor Wnt1. Our conclusions are substantiated by the following: (i) Lmx1b mRNA becomes localized to the isthmus immediately after Fgf8 initiation, (ii) Wnt1 expression is localized to the Lmx1b expression domain, but with slightly later kinetics, (iii) Fgf8-soaked beads generate similar domains of expression for Lmx1b and Wnt1 and (iv) retroviral-mediated expression of Lmx1b (Lmx1b/RCAS) maintains Wnt1 expression in the mesencephalon. Ectopic Lmx1b is insufficient to alter the expression of a number of other genes expressed at the IsO, suggesting that it does not generate a new signaling center. Instead, if we allow Lmx1b/RCAS-infected brains to develop longer, we detect changes in mesencephalic morphology. Since both ectopic and endogenous Lmx1b expression occurs in regions of the isthmus undergoing morphological changes, it could normally play a role in this process. Furthermore, a similar phenotype is not observed in Wnt1/RCAS-infected brains, demonstrating that ectopic Wnt1 is insufficient to mediate the effect of ectopic Lmx1b in our assay. Since Wnt1 function has been linked to the proper segregation of mesencephalic and metencephalic cells, we suggest that Lmx1b and Wnt1 normally function in concert to affect IsO morphogenesis.

Conditional inactivation of Fgf4 reveals complexity of signalling during limb bud development

Development of the vertebrate limb bud depends on reciprocal interactions between the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) and the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are key signalling molecules produced in the ZPA and AER, respectively. Experiments in chicks suggested that SHH expression in the ZPA is maintained by FGF4 expression in the AER, and vice versa, providing a molecular mechanism for coordinating the activities of these two signalling centres. This SHH/FGF4 feedback loop model is supported by genetic evidence showing that Fgf4 expression is not maintained in Shh-/- mouse limbs. We report here that Shh expression is maintained and limb formation is normal when Fgf4 is inactivated in mouse limbs, thus contradicting the model. We also found that maintenance of Fgf9 and Fgf17 expression is dependent on Shh, whereas Fgf8 expression is not. We discuss a model in which no individual Fgf expressed in the AER (AER-Fgf) is solely necessary to maintain Shh expression, but, instead, the combined activities of two or more AER-Fgfs function in a positive feedback loop with Shh to control limb development.

Genetic and molecular roles of Otx homeodomain proteins in head development

Insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neural development in vertebrates come from the cloning and the functional analysis of genes which are involved in the molecular pathways leading to neural induction, tissue specification and regionalization of the brain. Among them, transcription factors belonging to the orthodenticle family (Otx1, Otx2) play an important role during early and later events required for proper brain development. To better understand their functions, several mouse mutants have been generated by homologous recombination. Their analysis clearly indicates that Otx1 is involved in corticogenesis, sense organ development and pituitary functions, while Otx2 is necessary earlier in development, for the correct anterior neural plate specification and organisation of the primitive streak. A molecular mechanism depending on a precise threshold of OTX proteins is necessary for the correct positioning of the isthmic region and for anterior brain patterning. Finally, vertebrate Otx genes share functional equivalence with the Drosophila homologue otd, indicating that the genetic mechanisms underlying pattern formation in insect and mammalian brain development are evolutionarily conserved.

Pre-selection of integration sites imparts repeatable transgene expression

Variable gene expression amongst transgenic lines occurs due to copy number and to random associations of incoming DNA with chromosomal elements at the site of integration. Here we describe a method of identifying sites permissive for transgene expression and their use for efficient introduction of single copy transgenes by homologous recombination. ES clones were selected in HAT medium for expression of a randomly integrated HPRT marker lying 5' to an Oct4/ lacZ transgene. 794 clones were assessed in vitro for appropriate down-regulation of lacZ following differentiation. Two clones were chosen for further analysis which displayed appropriate and inappropriate gene regulation (clones 710 and 91, respectively). Three developmental promoters (thyroglobulin, Hox2.6 and Myf5) were then sequentially introduced into the original insertion sites in each clone (710 and 91) by homologous recombination, to drive expression of lacZ. Transgenic embryos were assessed for their ability to direct lacZ expression to tissues in which the respective promoter sequences are normally active. The site which appropriately down-regulated lacZ in vitro (710) also showed appropriate in vivo regulation of lacZ from the three developmental promoters. Site 91, however, directed an additional pattern of ectopic expression, which was common to all four promoters. Pre-selection of genomic sites for the introduction of transgenes by gene targeting improves the repeatability of transgene expression and provides an efficient means of single copy transgene introduction by homologous recombination.

Liver specification and early morphogenesis

The classically defined induction of the liver from the endoderm, elicited by the cardiac mesoderm, has recently been discovered to involve signaling by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Multiple FGFs induce hepatic gene expression independent of an effect on growth. A subset of these FGFs cooperates with other factors to promote morphogenesis of the newly specified hepatocytes. Subsequent to the formation of the liver bud, distinct mesenchymal signals and hepatic response pathways stimulate further growth and differentiation of the hepatic parenchymal cells and prevent apoptosis. The initial stages of hepatogenesis are therefore beginning to be understood, and serve as a paradigm for the development of other tissues from the endoderm.

Compensation by fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) does not account for the mild phenotypic defects observed in FGF2 null mice

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and FGF2, the prototypic members of the FGF family of growth factors, have been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Unlike most other FGFs, FGF1 and FGF2 are ubiquitously expressed and are not efficiently secreted. Gene knockouts in mice have previously demonstrated a role for FGF2 in brain development, blood pressure regulation, and wound healing. The relatively mild phenotypic defects associated with FGF2 deletion led to the hypothesis that the continued expression of other FGFs partially compensated for the absence of FGF2 in these mice. We now report our generation of mice lacking FGF1 and their use, in combination with our previously described FGF2 null mice, to produce mice lacking both FGF1 and FGF2. FGF1-FGF2 double-knockout mice are viable and fertile and do not display any gross phenotypic defects. In the double-knockout mice we observed defects that were similar in extent to those previously described for the FGF2 null mice. Differences in the organization of neurons of the frontal motor cortex and in the rates of wound healing were observed. We also observed in FGF2(-/-) mice and in FGF1-FGF2 double-knockout mice novel impairments in hematopoiesis that were similar in severity. Essentially no abnormalities were found in mice lacking only FGF1. Our results suggest that the relatively mild defects in FGF2 knockout animals are not a consequence of compensation by FGF1 and suggest highly restricted roles for both factors under normal developmental and physiological conditions.

A phenotype map of the mouse X chromosome: models for human X-linked disease

The identification of many of the transcribed genes in man and mouse is being achieved by large scale sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Attention is now being turned to elucidating gene function and many laboratories are looking to the mouse as a model system for this phase of the genome project. Mouse mutants have long been used as a means of investigating gene function and disease pathogenesis, and recently, several large mutagenesis programs have been initiated to fulfill the burgeoning demand of functional genomics research. Nevertheless, there is a substantial existing mouse mutant resource that can be used immediately. This review summarizes the available information about the loci encoding X-linked phenotypic mutants and variants, including 40 classical mutants and 40 that have arisen from gene targeting.

BMP signaling is essential for development of skeletogenic and neurogenic cranial neural crest

BMP signaling is essential for a wide variety of developmental processes. To evaluate the role of Bmp2/4 in cranial neural crest (CNC) formation or differentiation after its migration into the branchial arches, we used Xnoggin to block their activities in specific areas of the CNC in transgenic mice. This resulted in depletion of CNC cells from the targeted areas. As a consequence, the branchial arches normally populated by the affected neural crest cells were hypomorphic and their skeletal and neural derivatives failed to develop. In further analyses, we have identified Bmp2 as the factor required for production of migratory cranial neural crest. Its spatial and temporal expression patterns mirror CNC emergence and Bmp2 mutant embryos lack both branchial arches and detectable migratory CNC cells. Our results provide functional evidence for an essential role of BMP signaling in CNC development.

Gene dosage affects the cardiac and brain phenotype in nonmuscle myosin II-B-depleted mice

Complete ablation of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-B (NMHC-B) in mice resulted in cardiac and brain defects that were lethal during embryonic development or on the day of birth. In this paper, we report on the generation of mice with decreased amounts of NMHC-B. First, we generated B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) mice by replacing a neural-specific alternative exon with the PGK-Neo cassette. This resulted in decreased amounts of NMHC-B in all tissues, including a decrease of 88% in the heart and 65% in the brain compared with B(+)/B(+) tissues. B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) mice developed cardiac myocyte hypertrophy between 7 months and 11 months of age, at which time they reexpressed the cardiac beta-MHC. Serial sections of B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) brains showed abnormalities in neural cell migration and adhesion in the ventricular wall. Crossing B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) with B(+)/B(-) mice generated B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice, which showed a further decrease of approximately 55% in NMHC-B in the heart and brain compared with B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) mice. Five of 8 B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice were born with a membranous ventricular septal defect. Moreover, 5 of 5 B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice developed myocyte hypertrophy by 1 month; B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice also reexpressed the cardiac beta-MHC. More than 60% of B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice developed overt hydrocephalus and showed more severe defects in neural cell migration and adhesion than did B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) mice. These data on B(DeltaI)/B(DeltaI) and B(DeltaI)/B(-) mice demonstrate a gene dosage effect of the amount of NMHC-B on the severity and time of onset of the defects in the heart and brain.

Expression of sprouty2 during early development of the chick embryo is coincident with known sites of FGF signalling

The Drosophila sprouty protein is a recently-identified intracellular modulator of FGF and EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity which antagonises ras/MAP kinase signalling. In a differential display analysis to identify genes involved in patterning the mid/hindbrain region of the chick neural tube, we have identified a sprouty orthologue, sprouty2. Here we report expression of sprouty2 transcripts in the developing chick embryo. We find a close correlation with known sites of FGF activity but little correlation with expression patterns of members of the EGF family. Initially, transcripts are associated with the primitive streak. During the period of neural tube patterning expression is detected in the anterior neuropore, in the isthmic region and in neural plate and posterior spinal cord. Transcripts are also detected in the otic placode, tail bud, mesoderm of the branchial arches, somitic myotome, retina, limb buds and gut mesenchyme; all known sites of FGF action.

Chemotactic migration of mesencephalic neural crest cells in the mouse

We examined the roles of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and FGF-8 in the migration of mesencephalic mouse neural crest cells. Our in vitro migration assay has shown that FGF-2 (basic FGF) and FGF-8 have chemotactic activity for these cells. Chemotaxis was inhibited by anti-FGF-2 and anti-FGF-8 neutralizing antibodies. In addition, anti-FGF-2 blocked neural crest cell migration in cranial organ cultures. This observation suggests that FGF-2 functions as a chemoattractant in migration of mesencephalic neural crest cells in vivo. In organ culture, the antagonist of FGF binding to a low-affinity fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) heparan sulfate, inositolhexakisphosphate (InsP6), inhibited migration as well. Mesencephalic neural crest cells had high-affinity FGFRs, in particular FGFR-1 and FGFR-3. Thus, the chemotactic activities of FGF-2 can be mediated by the low-affinity FGFR alone or by a combination of low- and high-affinity FGFRs (FGFR-1, FGFR-3, or both). Moreover, differential localization of FGF-2 was found at the mesencephalic axial level of intact embryos during neural crest cell migration. FGF-2 protein expression was predominant in the target regions, in particular the mandibular mesenchyme, that are colonized by mesencephalic neural crest cells. This characteristic distribution supports the notion that FGF-2 acts as a chemoattractant in the mouse embryo that directs mesencephalic neural crest cell migration. Whereas FGF-8 showed chemotactic activity in vitro, neural crest cell dispersion was observed in explants that had been treated with anti-FGF-8 neutralizing antibodies. This result suggests that FGF-8 may not be a chemoattractant in vivo. However, the distribution of neural crest cells in explants treated with anti-FGF-8 differed from that in control explants or in intact embryos. Extreme FGF-2 distribution was observed in the mandibular arch and FGF-8 is expressed in the epithelium. FGF-8 may play a role in mesencephalic neural crest cell migration, and its role may be concerned with the differential localization of FGF-2. To establish this notion, we performed immunohistochemical examination of FGF-2 distribution in explants treated with FGF-8 and analysis of FGF-2 gene expression levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction by using RNA from explants. The data indicate that FGF-2 is distributed throughout the mesenchyme in FGF-8-treated explants and that expression of FGF-2 is promoted by FGF-8. Therefore, we conclude that the expression of FGF-8 in the mandibular arch epithelium is a prerequisite for the differential localization of FGF-2 and that the FGF-2 distribution pattern is essential for chemotaxis of mesencephalic neural crest cell migration.

Enhancing the efficiency of introducing precise mutations into the mouse genome by hit and run gene targeting

The creation of precise clinical mutations by targeting is important in elucidating disease pathogenesis using mouse models. 'Hit and run' gene targeting is an elegant method to achieve this goal. This uses first a positive selection to introduce the targeting vector carrying the required mutation and then a negative selection to identify clones which have removed vector and wild-type sequences by intrachromosomal recombination. However, this approach has only been successfully used in a handful of cases. We used this procedure to introduce precise clinical mutations into the exon 10 region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (Cftr) gene. Using a CMV promoter driven hygromycin/thymidine kinase (hyg/tk) fusion gene as both our dominant and negative selectable marker, we targeted the Cftr locus very efficiently but only identified false runs after the negative selection step. This defect in thymidine kinase induced toxicity to gancyclovir correlated with methylation of the transgene. Consequently we devised a stringent screening procedure to select only true 'run' clones. Unfortunately these 'run' clones had lost the mutation so we altered the vector design to bias the run step to retain the mutation and used a different tk selection cassette with a HSVtk promoter sequence. This new vector design allowed both efficient 'hit and run' for two cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations with no false positives and successful germline transmission of the novel G480C missense mutation.

General or cell type-specific deletion and replacement of connexin-coding DNA in the mouse

Here we describe several gene targeting approaches currently used in our laboratory for the generation of deletion or replacement mutants of connexin genes in the mouse and discuss the advantage of the double-replacement strategy for the generation of conditional mutants. For the analysis of complementary functions of connexins, it will be necessary to generate mice with mutations in several connexin genes. We also report how this can be effectively accomplished. The replacement of targeted connexin-coding DNA with a reporter gene, to mimic expression of the deleted gene product, is currently being used in several laboratories. The use of different reporter genes or their differently localized gene products could allow distinction of promoter activity in double or triple connexin mutant mice.

Induction and differentiation of the zebrafish heart requires fibroblast growth factor 8 (fgf8/acerebellar)

Vertebrate heart development is initiated from bilateral lateral plate mesoderm that expresses the Nkx2.5 and GATA4 transcription factors, but the extracellular signals specifying heart precursor gene expression are not known. We describe here that the secreted signaling factor Fgf8 is expressed in and required for development of the zebrafish heart precursors, particularly during initiation of cardiac gene expression. fgf8 is mutated in acerebellar (ace) mutants, and homozygous mutant embryos do not establish normal circulation, although vessel formation is only mildly affected. In contrast, heart development, in particular of the ventricle, is severely abnormal in acerebellar mutants. Several findings argue that Fgf8 has a direct function in development of cardiac precursor cells: fgf8 is expressed in cardiac precursors and later in the heart ventricle. Fgf8 is required for the earliest stages of nkx2.5 and gata4, but not gata6, expression in cardiac precursors. Cardiac gene expression is restored in acerebellar mutant embryos by injecting fgf8 RNA, or by implanting a Fgf8-coated bead into the heart primordium. Pharmacological inhibition of Fgf signalling during formation of the heart primordium phenocopies the acerebellar heart phenotype, confirming that Fgf signaling is required independently of earlier functions during gastrulation. These findings show that fgf8/acerebellar is required for induction and patterning of myocardial precursors.

Signalling by FGF8 from the isthmus patterns anterior hindbrain and establishes the anterior limit of Hox gene expression

Current evidence suggests that the anterior segment of the vertebrate hindbrain, rhombomere 1, gives rise to the entire cerebellum. It is situated where two distinct developmental patterning mechanisms converge: graded signalling from an organising centre (the isthmus) located at the midbrain/hindbrain boundary confronts segmentation of the hindbrain. The unique developmental fate of rhombomere 1 is reflected by it being the only hindbrain segment in which no Hox genes are expressed. In this study we show that ectopic FGF8 protein, a candidate for the isthmic organising activity, is able to induce and repress gene expression within the hindbrain in a manner appropriate to rhombomere 1. Using a heterotopic, heterospecific grafting strategy we demonstrate that rhombomere 1 is able to express Hox genes but that both isthmic tissue and FGF8 inhibit their expression. Inhibition of FGF8 function in vivo shows that it is responsible for defining the anterior limit of Hox gene expression within the developing brain and thereby specifies the extent of the rl territory. Previous studies have suggested that a retinoid morphogen gradient determines the axial limit of expression of individual Hox genes within the hindbrain. We propose a model whereby activation by retinoids is antagonised by inhibition by FGF8 in the anterior hindbrain to set aside the territory from which the cerebellum will develop.

Differential display of genes expressed at the midbrain - hindbrain junction identifies sprouty2: an FGF8-inducible member of a family of intracellular FGF antagonists

Specification and polarization of the midbrain and anterior hindbrain involve planar signals originating from the isthmus. Current evidence suggests that FGF8, expressed at the isthmus, provides this patterning influence. In this study, we have sought to identify novel genes which are involved in the process by which regional identity is imparted to midbrain and anterior hindbrain (rhombomere 1). An enhanced differential display reverse transcription method was used to clone cDNAs derived from transcripts expressed specifically in either rhombomere 1 or midbrain during the period of isthmic patterning activity. This gene expression screen identified 28 differentially expressed cDNAs. A clone upregulated in cDNA derived from rhombomere 1 tissue showed a 91% identity at the nucleotide level to the putative human receptor tyrosine kinase antagonist: sprouty2. In situ hybridization on whole chick embryos showed chick sprouty2 to be expressed initially within the isthmus and rhombomere 1, spatially and temporally coincident with Fgf8 expression. However, at later stages this domain was more extensive than that of Fgf8. Introduction of ligand-coated beads into either midbrain or hindbrain region revealed that sprouty2 could be rapidly induced by FGF8. These data suggest that sprouty2 participates in a negative feedback regulatory loop to modulate the patterning activity of FGF8 at the isthmus.