Function of Rieger syndrome gene in left–right asymmetry and craniofacial development

Mei-Fang Lu, Carolyn Pressman, Rex Dyer, Randy L. Johnson and James F. Martin ()
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Mei-Fang Lu: Alkek Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Center for Cancer Biology and Nutrition, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
Carolyn Pressman: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Rex Dyer: Alkek Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Center for Cancer Biology and Nutrition, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
Randy L. Johnson: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
James F. Martin: Alkek Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Center for Cancer Biology and Nutrition, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center

Nature, 1999, vol. 401, issue 6750, 276-278

Abstract: Abstract Rieger syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder, includes ocular, craniofacial and umbilical abnormalities. The pitx2 homeobox gene, which is mutated in Rieger syndrome1,2, has been proposed to be the effector molecule interpreting left–right axial information from the early embryonic trunk to each organ3,4,5,6,7. Here we have used gene targeting in mice to generate a loss-of-function allele that would be predicted to result in organ randomization or isomerization. Although pitx2-/- embryos had abnormal cardiac morphogenesis, mutant hearts looped in the normal direction. Pitx2-/- embryos had correctly oriented, but arrested, embryonic rotation and right pulmonary isomerism. They also had defective development of the mandibular and maxillary facial prominences, regression of the stomodeum and arrested tooth development. Fgf8 expression was absent, and Bmp4 expression was expanded in the branchial-arch ectoderm. These data reveal a critical role for pitx2 in left–right asymmetry but indicate that pitx2 may function at an intermediate step in cardiac morphogenesis and embryonic rotation.

Date: 1999
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DOI: 10.1038/45797

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