Induction of the mammalian node requires Arkadia function in the extraembryonic lineages

Vasso Episkopou (), Ruth Arkell, Paula M. Timmons, James J. Walsh, Rebecca L. Andrew and Daniel Swan
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Vasso Episkopou: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Ruth Arkell: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Paula M. Timmons: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
James J. Walsh: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Rebecca L. Andrew: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Daniel Swan: Mammalian Neurogenesis, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital

Nature, 2001, vol. 410, issue 6830, 825-830

Abstract: Abstract The early mammalian embryo is patterned by signals emanating from extraembryonic and embryonic signalling centres, most notably the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) and the node, respectively1. The AVE is responsible for anterior development, whereas further axis specification depends on the node, the equivalent of Spemann's organizer2,3. Formation of the node, at the anterior primitive streak, depends on expression of the transcription factor HNF3β (ref. 4). However, both the source and the nature of the signals responsible for inducing the node have been unknown. Here we describe a recessive lethal mutation, arkadia, generated using gene-trap mutagenesis. Mutant embryos establish an AVE but fail to maintain anterior embryonic structures and lack a node. The mutation has disrupted the Arkadia gene, which encodes a putative intracellular protein containing a RING domain. Arkadia is essential for HNF3β expression in the anterior primitive streak. Analysis with chimaeras, however, shows that Arkadia functions within extraembryonic tissues, revealing that these are required to induce the node. Furthermore, our experiments show that Arkadia interacts genetically with the transforming growth factor (TGF)β-like factor Nodal5,6,7, implying that Nodal mediates the function of Arkadia in node induction.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35071095

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