Shh establishes an Nkx3.2/Sox9 autoregulatory loop that is maintained by BMP signals to induce somitic chondrogenesis

• DOI: 10.1101/gad.1008002
• Publication Date: 2002-10-01T17:21:55Z
• Authors: Li Zeng; Hervé Kempf; L. Charles Murtaugh; Mie Elissa Sato; Andrew B. Lassar
• Keywords: SOX9; Paraxial mesoderm; Chondrogenesis; Notochord

Prior work has established that transient Shh signals from the notochord and floor plate confer a competence in somitic tissue for subsequent BMP to induce chondrogenesis. We have therefore proposed induces factor(s) renders cells competent chondrify response signals. Recently, we shown forced expression of Nkx3.2, transcriptional repressor induced by Shh, is able chondrogenic somites. In this work, show administration or Nkx3.2 transcription factor Sox9 tissue. Forced can, turn, robust chondrogenesis mesoderm, provided are present. found presence signals, each other's expression. Thus, may promote axial derepressing mesoderm. Furthermore, either not only activates cartilage-specific genes but also promotes proliferation survival chondrocytes However, unlike de novo cartilage formation non-cartilage-forming tissues. Our findings suggest sequence establish positive regulatory loop between can subsequently initiate chondrocyte differentiation program variety cellular environments.