Premium
Irxl1 mutant mice show reduced tendon differentiation and no patterning defects in musculoskeletal system development
Author(s) -
Kimura Wataru,
Machii Masashi,
Xue XiaoDong,
Sultaishat,
Hikosaka Keisuke,
Sharkar Mohammad T.K.,
Uezato Tadayoshi,
Matsuda Masashi,
Koseki Haruhiko,
Miura Naoyuki
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20688
Subject(s) - homeobox , biology , progenitor cell , tendon , microbiology and biotechnology , mesoderm , null allele , sox9 , embryonic stem cell , embryo , anatomy , progenitor , genetics , cellular differentiation , mutant , gene , stem cell , gene expression
Summary: Irxl1 ( Iroquois‐related homeobox like‐1 ) is a newly identified three amino‐acid loop extension (TALE) homeobox gene, which is expressed in various mesoderm‐derived tissues, particularly in the progenitors of the musculoskeletal system. To analyze the roles of Irxl1 during embryonic development, we generated mice carrying a null allele of Irxl1 . Mice homozygous for the targeted allele were viable, fertile, and showed reduced tendon differentiation. Skeletal morphology and skeletal muscle weight in Irxl1 ‐knockout mice appeared normal. Expression patterns of several marker genes for cartilage, tendon, and muscle progenitors in homozygous mutant embryos were unchanged. These results suggest that Irxl1 is required for the tendon differentiation but dispensable for the patterning of the musculoskeletal system in development. genesis, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.