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Qiu L, Sun Y, Ning H, Chen G, Zhao W, Gao Y. The scaffold protein AXIN1: gene ontology, signal network, and physiological function. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:77. [PMID: 38291457 PMCID: PMC10826278 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01482-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
AXIN1, has been initially identified as a prominent antagonist within the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and subsequently unveiled its integral involvement across a diverse spectrum of signaling cascades. These encompass the WNT/β-catenin, Hippo, TGFβ, AMPK, mTOR, MAPK, and antioxidant signaling pathways. The versatile engagement of AXIN1 underscores its pivotal role in the modulation of developmental biological signaling, maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, and coordination of cellular stress responses. The multifaceted functionalities of AXIN1 render it as a compelling candidate for targeted intervention in the realms of degenerative pathologies, systemic metabolic disorders, cancer therapeutics, and anti-aging strategies. This review provides an intricate exploration of the mechanisms governing mammalian AXIN1 gene expression and protein turnover since its initial discovery, while also elucidating its significance in the regulation of signaling pathways, tissue development, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we have introduced the innovative concept of the AXIN1-Associated Phosphokinase Complex (AAPC), where the scaffold protein AXIN1 assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating site-specific phosphorylation modifications through interactions with various phosphokinases and their respective substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yixuan Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Haoming Ning
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Guanyu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Wenshan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Dao DY, Yang X, Flick LM, Chen D, Hilton MJ, O’Keefe RJ. Axin2 regulates chondrocyte maturation and axial skeletal development. J Orthop Res 2010; 28:89-95. [PMID: 19623616 PMCID: PMC2853598 DOI: 10.1002/jor.20954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Axis inhibition proteins 1 and 2 (Axin1 and Axin2) are scaffolding proteins that modulate at least two signaling pathways that are crucial in skeletogenesis: the Wnt/beta-catenin and TGF-beta signaling pathways. To determine whether Axin2 is important in skeletogenesis, we examined the skeletal phenotype of Axin2-null mice in a wild-type or Axin1(+/-) background. Animals with disrupted Axin2 expression displayed a runt phenotype when compared to heterozygous littermates. Whole-mount and tissue beta-galactosidase staining of Axin2(LacZ/LacZ) mice revealed that Axin2 is expressed in cartilage tissue, and histological sections from knockout animals showed shorter hypertrophic zones in the growth plate. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from Axin2-null and wild-type mice, cultured, and assayed for type X collagen gene expression. While type II collagen levels were depressed in cells from Axin2-deficient animals, type X collagen gene expression was enhanced. There was no difference in BrdU incorporation between null and heterozygous mice, suggesting that loss of Axin2 does not alter chondrocyte proliferation. Taken together, these findings reveal that disruption of Axin2 expression results in accelerated chondrocyte maturation. In the presence of a heterozygous deficiency of Axin1, Axin2 was also shown to play a critical role in craniofacial and axial skeleton development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Y. Dao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642,Department of Pathology, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Lisa M. Flick
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Di Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Matthew J. Hilton
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Regis J. O’Keefe
- Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642,Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 665, Rochester, New York 14642
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Lu Z, Liu W, Huang H, He Y, Han Y, Rui Y, Wang Y, Li Q, Ruan K, Ye Z, Low BC, Meng A, Lin SC. Protein encoded by the Axin(Fu) allele effectively down-regulates Wnt signaling but exerts a dominant negative effect on c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:13132-9. [PMID: 18316368 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m710595200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Axin plays an architectural role in many important signaling pathways that control various aspects of development and tumorigenesis, including the Wnt, transforming growth factor-beta, MAP kinase pathways, as well as p53 activation cascades. It is encoded by the mouse Fused (Fu) locus; the Axin(Fu) allele is caused by insertion of an IAP transposon. Axin(Fu/Fu) mice display varying phenotypes ranging from embryonic lethality to relatively normal adulthood with kinky tails. However, the protein product(s) has not been identified or characterized. In the present study, we conducted immunoprecipitation using brain extracts from the Axin(Fu) mice with specific antibodies against different regions of Axin and found that a truncated Axin containing amino acids 1-596 (designated as Axin(Fu-NT)) and the full-length complement of Axin (Axin(WT)) can both be generated from the Axin(Fu) allele. When tested for functionality changes, Axin(Fu-NT) was found to abolish Axin-mediated activation of JNK, which plays a critical role in dorsoventral patterning. Together with a proteomics approach, we found that Axin(Fu-NT) contains a previously uncharacterized dimerization domain and can form a heterodimeric interaction with Axin(WT). The Axin(Fu-NT)/Axin(WT) is not conducive to JNK activation, providing a molecular explanation for the dominant negative effect of Axin(Fu-NT) on JNK activation by wild-type Axin. Importantly, Axin(Fu-NT) exhibits no difference in the inhibition of Wnt signaling compared with Axin(WT) as determined by reporter gene assays, interaction with key Wnt regulators, and expression of Wnt marker genes in zebrafish embryos, suggesting that altered JNK signaling contributes, at least in part, to the developmental defects seen in Axin(Fu) mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zailian Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
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Horsley SW, Daniels RJ, Anguita E, Raynham HA, Peden JF, Villegas A, Vickers MA, Green S, Waye JS, Chui DH, Ayyub H, MacCarthy AB, Buckle VJ, Gibbons RJ, Kearney L, Higgs DR. Monosomy for the most telomeric, gene-rich region of the short arm of human chromosome 16 causes minimal phenotypic effects. Eur J Hum Genet 2001; 9:217-25. [PMID: 11313762 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2000] [Revised: 11/13/2000] [Accepted: 11/16/2000] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We have examined the phenotypic effects of 21 independent deletions from the fully sequenced and annotated 356 kb telomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 16 (16p13.3). Fifteen genes contained within this region have been highly conserved throughout evolution and encode proteins involved in important housekeeping functions, synthesis of haemoglobin, signalling pathways and critical developmental pathways. Although a priori many of these genes would be considered candidates for critical haploinsufficient genes, none of the deletions within the 356 kb interval cause any discernible phenotype other than alpha thalassaemia whether inherited via the maternal or paternal line. These findings contrast with previous observations on patients with larger (> 1 Mb) deletions from the 16p telomere and therefore address the mechanisms by which monosomy gives rise to human genetic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Horsley
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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Abstract
The Axin(Fu) mutation is caused by an IAP insertion. In a small percentage of mice, the Axin(Fu) mutation disappears and is not observed in the next generation. In these mice, [Axin(Fu)]/+, the IAP is absent and Axin(Fu) has reverted to the wild allele. Concomitantly with the loss of IAP, there is widespread reorganisation of numerous microsatellite loci across the surrounding region of chromosome. In rare cases, spontaneous reappearance of the mutation can be observed in progeny of [Axin(Fu)]/+ mice. It is revealed here that reappearance of Axin(Fu) was associated with restoration of the IAP insertion. In such mice, alleles of the surrounding microsatellite loci were identical to the alleles observed on chromosomes that carried Axin(Fu). Developmental mosaicism can potentially explain spontaneous reappearance of the Axin(Fu) mutation. Mosaicism can also explain other observations including postnatal changes at the Axin locus, unusual segregation in progeny, and the appearance of [Axin(Fu)]/+ mice that were phenotypically mutant. 2001.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ruvinsky
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Strasbourg, France.
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Hsu W, Zeng L, Costantini F. Identification of a domain of Axin that binds to the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A and a self-binding domain. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:3439-45. [PMID: 9920888 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.6.3439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Axin is a negative regulator of embryonic axis formation in vertebrates, which acts through a Wnt signal transduction pathway involving the serine/threonine kinase GSK-3 and beta-catenin. Axin has been shown to have distinct binding sites for GSK-3 and beta-catenin and to promote the phosphorylation of beta-catenin and its consequent degradation. This provides an explanation for the ability of Axin to inhibit signaling through beta-catenin. In addition, a more N-terminal region of Axin binds to adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a tumor suppressor protein that also regulates levels of beta-catenin. Here, we report the results of a yeast two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with the C-terminal third of Axin, a region in which no binding sites for other proteins have previously been identified. We found that Axin can bind to the catalytic subunit of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A through a domain between amino acids 632 and 836. This interaction was confirmed by in vitro binding studies as well as by co-immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged proteins expressed in cultured cells. Our results suggest that protein phosphatase 2A might interact with the Axin.APC.GSK-3.beta-catenin complex, where it could modulate the effect of GSK-3 on beta-catenin or other proteins in the complex. We also identified a region of Axin that may allow it to form dimers or multimers. Through two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation studies, we demonstrated that the C-terminal 100 amino acids of Axin could bind to the same region as other Axin molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Hsu
- Department of Genetics and Development, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Zeng L, Fagotto F, Zhang T, Hsu W, Vasicek TJ, Perry WL, Lee JJ, Tilghman SM, Gumbiner BM, Costantini F. The mouse Fused locus encodes Axin, an inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway that regulates embryonic axis formation. Cell 1997; 90:181-92. [PMID: 9230313 DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80324-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 708] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations at the mouse Fused locus have pleiotropic developmental effects, including the formation of axial duplications in homozygous embryos. The product of the Fused locus, Axin, displays similarities to RGS (Regulators of G-Protein Signaling) and Dishevelled proteins. Mutant Fused alleles that cause axial duplications disrupt the major mRNA, suggesting that Axin negatively regulates the response to an axis-inducing signal. Injection of Axin mRNA into Xenopus embryos inhibits dorsal axis formation by interfering with signaling through the Wnt pathway. Furthermore, ventral injection of an Axin mRNA lacking the RGS domain induces an ectopic axis, apparently through a dominant-negative mechanism. Thus, Axin is a novel inhibitor of Wnt signaling and regulates an early step in embryonic axis formation in mammals and amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zeng
- Department of Genetics and Development, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Perry WL, Vasicek TJ, Lee JJ, Rossi JM, Zeng L, Zhang T, Tilghman SM, Costantini F. Phenotypic and molecular analysis of a transgenic insertional allele of the mouse Fused locus. Genetics 1995; 141:321-32. [PMID: 8536979 PMCID: PMC1206729 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/141.1.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous mutations at the mouse Fused (Fu) locus cause dominant skeletal and neurological defects and recessive lethal embryonic defects including neuroectodermal abnormalities and axial duplications. Here, we describe a new allele at the Fu locus caused by a transgenic insertional mutation, H epsilon 46. Embryos homozygous for the H epsilon 46 insertion die at day 9-10 post coitum and display phenotypic defects similar to those associated with Fu alleles. The H epsilon 46 locus was cloned and shown to contain a 20-kb deletion at the site of transgene insertion with no other detectable rearrangements. Genomic probes from the H epsilon 46 locus were mapped to a genetic locus closely linked to Fu on chromosome 17 and were hybridized to a YAC contig covering the FuKi critical region. Compound heterozygotes between H epsilon 46 and FuKi were inviable and displayed abnormalities at the same stage of embryogenesis as do homozygotes for either of the two mutations, demonstrating that these two recessive lethal mutations belong to the same complementation group. A genomic probe from the wild-type H epsilon 46 locus detected a transcript that is disrupted by the transgenic insertion, representing a candidate for the wild-type allele of Fused.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Perry
- Department of Genetics and Development, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Sutherland HF, Pick E, Francis F, Lehrach H, Frischauf AM. Mapping around the Fused locus on mouse chromosome 17. Mamm Genome 1995; 6:449-53. [PMID: 7579885 DOI: 10.1007/bf00360652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We have established a high-resolution genetic map of the region surrounding the Fused locus as a first step towards the molecular identification and analysis of this gene. The candidate region has been covered to a large extent by YAC and P1 contigs, and has been partly characterized by pulsed-field gel analysis.
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10
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Himmelbauer H, Harvey RP, Copeland NG, Jenkins NA, Silver LM. High-resolution genetic analysis of a deletion on mouse chromosome 17 extending over the fused, tufted, and homeobox Nkx2-5 loci. Mamm Genome 1994; 5:814-6. [PMID: 7894168 DOI: 10.1007/bf00292022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Himmelbauer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, New Jersey 08544-1014
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11
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Rossi JM, Burke DT, Leung JC, Koos DS, Chen H, Tilghman SM. Genomic analysis using a yeast artificial chromosome library with mouse DNA inserts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1992; 89:2456-60. [PMID: 1347950 PMCID: PMC48677 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.89.6.2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A yeast artificial chromosome library with mouse genomic DNA inserts has been constructed. The library encompasses a 2.5-fold coverage of the mouse genome, with an average insert size of 250 kilobases. The screening strategy uses the polymerase chain reaction on pooled DNAs prepared from individually stored clones. The usefulness of the library for chromosome walking was illustrated by constructing a 600-kilobase-long contig of DNA surrounding Hba-ps4, a DNA marker that is tightly linked to the fused (Fu) locus on chromosome 17.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Rossi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Princeton University, NJ 08544
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12
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Grunwald DJ, Streisinger G. Induction of mutations in the zebrafish with ultraviolet light. Genet Res (Camb) 1992; 59:93-101. [PMID: 1628821 DOI: 10.1017/s0016672300030305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recessive lethal germline and specific locus somatic mutations were induced efficiently in the zebrafish by exposure of mature sperm to UV light. Mutagenesis of sperm yielded mosaic individuals: clones bearing novel mutations represented approximately 12-25% of the haploid germ cells and 25-50% of the somatic tissue. Simple methods are described for the reliable identification and propagation of newly arising developmental mutations in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Grunwald
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403
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13
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Wilkinson DG. The Use of in Situ Hybridisation to Study the Molecular Genetics of Mouse Development. Development 1992. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-77043-2_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
The dreher mutation (gene symbol: dr) is an autosomal recessive mutation located on chromosome 1 of the mouse. Homozygous dreher mice (dr/dr) are ataxic, have a white belly spot, a short-tail, inner ear and skeletal malformations, and a variety of CNS abnormalities. Recently in our dreher colony (the drsst-J allele on a B6C3Fe background), we noticed mice with one or more white belly spots typical of drsst-J/drsst-J mice but which were non-ataxic and had a normal tail length; wild-type mice (+/+) of the same genetic background do not have simialr belly spots. Results of three breeding experiments indicate that a new mutation had not occurred, but rather that the spotted, non-ataxic mice are heterozygous dreher mice (drsst-J/+). Histological examination showed that drsst-J/+ mice have abnormalities in the hippocampal formation that are qualitatively similar to those found in drsst-J/drsst-J mice. Most frequently there is an increase in the number of pyramidal cells in CA3 and a marked thickening of the pyramidal cell layer. In contrast to dreher homozygotes the cerebellum appears to have a normal foliation pattern and no discernible laminar abnormalities. Thus, both breeding experiments and histological examination indicate that drsst-J is semidominant. We speculate that drsst-J is a "loss of function" mutation, but, in any event, the presence of phenotypic abnormalities in drsst-J/+ mice may be useful in identifying the primary developmental defect in dreher mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Patrylo
- Department of Anatomy, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854
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Abstract
The T locus on mouse chromosome 17 is haploid-insufficient: deletion/+ heterozygous mice have a short tail. One exceptional allele, Tc, produces a tailless phenotype in heterozygous mice. Thus, Tc has a more severe phenotype than that of a deletion allele, suggesting either that Tc is further deleted for a neighboring locus, resulting in the additional phenotype, or that Tc is a gain-of-function mutation. We have shown that Tc is not deleted for the D17Leh119 and D17RP17 loci flanking T, which are deleted in some T alleles. Thus, the severity of the Tc phenotype is not due to the deletion of an adjacent locus. We have also examined the genetic nature of the Tc allele by placing it in trans with a T-locus duplication, twLub2, which has previously been independently confirmed at the molecular level to have a duplication in the chromosomal region including the T locus. We have shown that Tc is partially complemented by twLub2, unlike a null allele (deletion) which was previously shown to be fully complemented by twLub2. These results indicate that Tc behaves genetically as an antimorph, exerting its effect by antagonizing the function of a wild-type allele at the T locus. The apparent correlation between the gene dosage at the T locus and the length of the body axis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A MacMurray
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
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Shedlovsky A, King TR, Dove WF. Saturation germ line mutagenesis of the murine t region including a lethal allele at the quaking locus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1988; 85:180-4. [PMID: 3422415 PMCID: PMC279507 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.85.1.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The proximal region of mouse chromosome 17 contains many genes affecting embryonic development, germ cell differentiation, and the immune system. Although the study of natural variation, including t haplotypes, has yielded some information about the function of these genes, spontaneous variants often exhibit manifold genetic effects and are generally not carried on inbred backgrounds. To clearly connect phenotypes with the actions of individual genes, mutants in which genes are altered singly are needed. Therefore, we used a highly efficient point mutagen, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, in combination with classical breeding schemes to induce and identify recessive lethal mutations in the t region. Of 350 mutagenized gametes examined, at least 10 independent recessive embryonic lethal mutations have been identified; an additional two are perinatal lethals. A spontaneous brachyury mutation, TWis, arose on a genetic background that permits high-resolution mapping of the induced recessive mutations against cloned DNA sequences from the t region. One lethal mutation is an allele at the quaking locus. The multiple alleles of quaking and the feasibility of high-resolution mapping permit investigation of the pleiotropic action of this locus in mammalian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shedlovsky
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
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