Premium
Expression and function of the LIM homeobox containing genes Lhx3 and Lhx4 in the mouse placenta
Author(s) -
Tian Geng,
Singh Umashankar,
Yu Yang,
Ellsworth Buffy S.,
Hemberger Myriam,
Geyer Rudolf,
Stewart M. David,
Behringer Richard R.,
Fundele Reinald
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21546
Subject(s) - biology , lim domain , homeobox , placenta , phenotype , gene , cdx2 , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , transcription factor , fetus , pregnancy , zinc finger
The LIM homeobox containing genes of the LIM‐3 group, Lhx3 and Lhx4 , are critical for normal development. Both genes are involved in the formation of the pituitary and the motoneuron system and loss of either gene causes perinatal lethality. Previous studies had shown that Lhx3 is overexpressed in hyperplastic placentas of mouse interspecies hybrids. To determine the role of LHX3 in the mouse placenta, we performed expression and function analyses. Our results show that Lhx3 exhibits specific spatial and temporal expression in the mouse placenta. However, deletion of Lhx3 does not produce a placental phenotype. To test whether this is due to functional substitution by Lhx4 , we performed a phenotype analysis of Lhx3 −/−; Lhx4 −/− double‐mutant placentas. A subset of Lhx3 −/−; Lhx4 −/− placentas exhibited abnormal structure of the labyrinth. However, absence of both LIM‐3 genes did not interfere with placental transport nor consistently with expression of target genes such as Gnrhr . Thus, LHX3 and LHX4 appear to be dispensable for placental development and function. Developmental Dynamics 237:1517‐1525, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.