Gene expression profiles in normal and Otx2 ^−/− early gastrulating mouse embryos

Abstract

The mouse Otx2 gene is a homeobox transcription factor required as early as gastrulation for the proper development of the head. We compared gene expression profiles in wild-type and Otx2 ؊/؊ 6.5 days postcoitum embryos by using a serial analysis of gene expression assay adapted to microdissected structures. Among a broader list, the study of six genes found to be differentially expressed allows defining a role for Otx2 in the orchestration of cell movements leading to the adequate organization of the embryo before gastrulation.

Function and biological roles of the Dickkopf family of Wnt modulators

“…The homeobox gene Otx2 is essential for this process, and since one of its target genes is Dkk1 (Zakin et al, 2000), it suggests that some of the head defects observed in Otx2 mutants are mediated by Dkk1. To test this, the authors inserted Dkk1 in the Otx2 locus and indeed, defective axis conversion due to Otx2 deficiency was rescued (KimuraYoshida et al, 2005).…”

Expression of all Wnt genes and their secreted antagonists during mouse blastocyst and postimplantation development

“…This expression pattern was compared with the one of Sfrp5 that is also expressed in the aVE as noted by Finley et al (2003), albeit in a region limited to the anteriormost domain adjacent to the extraembryonic region. Dkk1 is another type of Wnt antagonist that has been shown to be expressed in the aVE during gastrulation (Pearce et al, 1999;Zakin et al, 2000). Here its expression was investigated at earlier stages and on sections before the primitive streak forms.…”

Gene expression-based classification of nonseminomatous male germ cell tumors

“…Transcripts whose expression was restricted to CC samples included CGA, CGB, and PLAC6 (Figure 2), all genes that are associated with placenta and trophoblasts (Bo and Boime, 1992;Brinkmann et al, 1999), the cell type seen in CC. Interestingly, a number of the genes that were most predictive of YS histology have been implicated in differentiation into endodermal (VTN, OTX2, BMP2, FOXA2) or mesodermal (EOMES) lineages (Cooper and Pera, 1988;Crease et al, 1998;Coucouvanis and Martin, 1999;Zakin et al, 2000;Sinner et al, 2004). We also observed that three of the 10 most predictive genes of YS histology (C20orf56, CST1, FOXA2) mapped to 20p11, a region not previously implicated in YS tumor etiology.…”