Setdb2 restricts dorsal organizer territory and regulates left–right asymmetry through suppressing fgf8 activity

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0914396107
• Publication Date: 2010-01-22T03:19:46Z
• Authors: Peng-Fei Xu; Kang-Yong Zhu; Yi Jin; Yi Chen; Xiao-Jian Sun; Min Deng; Sai-Juan Chen; Zhu Chen; Ting Xi Liu
• Keywords: FGF8

Dorsal organizer formation is one of the most critical steps in early embryonic development. Several genes and signaling pathways that positively regulate dorsal development have been identified; however, little known about factor(s) negatively regulates formation. Here, we show Setdb2, a SET domain-containing protein possessing potential histone H3K9 methyltransferase activity, restricts left–right asymmetry by suppressing fibroblast growth factor 8 ( fgf8 ) expression. Knockdown Setdb2 results massive expansion markers floating head flh ), goosecoid gsc chordin chd as well significant increase , but not fgf4 mRNAs. Consequently, disrupted midline patterning resultant randomization are observed Setdb2-deficient embryos. These characteristic changes induced deficiency can be nearly corrected either overexpression dominant-negative fgf receptor or knockdown suggesting an essential role for Setdb2–Fgf8 restricting territory regulating asymmetry. provide unique evidence potentially involved epigenetic control during