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The Notch‐regulated ankyrin repeat protein is required for proper anterior–posterior somite patterning in mice
Author(s) -
Krebs Luke T.,
Bradley Cara K.,
Norton Christine R.,
Xu Jingxia,
Oram Kathleen F.,
Starling Christa,
Deftos Michael L.,
Bevan Michael J.,
Gridley Thomas
Publication year - 2012
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.20813
Subject(s) - somite , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , ankyrin repeat , embryo , notch signaling pathway , compartment (ship) , phenotype , mutant , anatomy , genetics , embryogenesis , signal transduction , gene , oceanography , geology
The Notch‐regulated ankyrin repeat protein (Nrarp) is a component of a negative feedback system that attenuates Notch pathway‐mediated signaling. In vertebrates, the timing and spacing of formation of the mesodermal somites are controlled by a molecular oscillator termed the segmentation clock. Somites are also patterned along the rostral‐caudal axis of the embryo. Here, we demonstrate that Nrarp ‐deficient embryos and mice exhibit genetic background‐dependent defects of the axial skeleton. While progression of the segmentation clock occurred in Nrarp ‐deficient embryos, they exhibited altered rostrocaudal patterning of the somites. In Nrarp mutant embryos, the posterior somite compartment was expanded. These studies confirm an anticipated, but previously undocumented role for the Nrarp gene in vertebrate somite patterning and provide an example of the strong influence that genetic background plays on the phenotypes exhibited by mutant mice. genesis 50:366–374, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.