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Tbx5 overexpression favors a first heart field lineage in murine embryonic stem cells and in Xenopus laevis embryos
Author(s) -
Herrmann Franziska,
Bundschu Karin,
Kühl Susanne J.,
Kühl Michael
Publication year - 2011
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.22776
Subject(s) - biology , xenopus , embryonic stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , gata4 , heart development , progenitor cell , stem cell , transcription factor , embryo , gene , genetics
The T‐box transcription factor Tbx5 is involved in several developmental processes including cardiogenesis. Early steps of cardiac development are characterised by the formation of two cardiogenic lineages, the first (FHF) and the second heart field (SHF) lineage, which arise from a common cardiac progenitor cell population. To further investigate the function of Tbx5 during cardiogenesis, we generated a murine embryonic stem cell line constitutively overexpressing Tbx5. Differentiation of these cells is characterised by an earlier and increased appearance of contracting cardiomyocytes that beat with a higher frequency than control cells. In semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR analyses, we observed an up‐regulation of cardiac marker genes such as Troponin T , endogenous Tbx5 , and Nkx2.5 and a down‐regulation of others like BMP4 and Hand2 . Similar data were gained in Xenopus laevis arguing for a conserved function of Tbx5. Furthermore, markers of the conduction system and atrial cardiomyocytes were increased. Developmental Dynamics 240:2634–2645, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.