Multiple developmental defects in Engrailed-1 mutant mice: an early mid-hindbrain deletion and patterning defects in forelimbs and sternum

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.120.7.2065
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T02:08:06Z
• Authors: Wolfgang Wurst; Anna B. Auerbach; Alexandra L. Joyner
• Keywords: engrailed; Hindbrain; Sternum; Body plan

ABSTRACT During mouse development, the homeobox-containing gene En-1 is specifically expressed across mid-hindbrain junction, ventral ectoderm of limb buds, and in regions hindbrain, spinal cord, somites somite-derived tissues. To address function during embryogenesis, we have generated mice homozygous for a targeted deletion homeobox. mutant died shortly after birth exhibited multiple developmental defects. In brains newborn mutants, most colliculi cerebellum were missing third fourth cranial nerves absent. A tissue was observed as early 9.5 days embryonic development phenotype resembles that previously reported Wnt-1 mice. addition, patterning forelimb paws sternum disrupted, 13th ribs truncated. The results these studies suggest cell autonomous role generation and/or survival precursor cells also non-cell signaling normal limbs possibly sternum.