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

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.127.11.2433
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T04:05:06Z
• Authors: Juan Pedro Martin...; Melanie Clements; Paul Thomas; Tristan Rodriguez; Denise Meloy; Dimitris Kioussis; Rosa S. P. Beddin...
• Keywords: Forebrain

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