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Paracrine action of FGF4 during periimplantation development maintains trophectoderm and primitive endoderm
Author(s) -
Goldin Sarah N.,
Papaioannou Virginia E.
Publication year - 2003
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/gene.10192
Subject(s) - biology , endoderm , microbiology and biotechnology , fibroblast growth factor , blastocyst , trophoblast , embryonic stem cell , paracrine signalling , embryo , embryogenesis , genetics , receptor , placenta , gene , pregnancy , fetus
Summary: FGF4, a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, is absolutely required for periimplantation mouse development, although its precise role at this stage remains unknown. The nature of the defect leading to postimplantation lethality of embryos lacking zygotic FGF4 is unclear and little is known about downstream targets of FGF4‐initiated signaling within the various cellular compartments of the blastocyst. Here we report that postimplantation lethality of Fgf4 −/− embryos is unlikely to reflect strictly mitogenic requirements for FGF4. Rather, our results suggest that FGF4 is required to maintain trophectoderm and primitive endoderm identity at embryonic day 4.5. This result is consistent with the reported in vitro activity of FGF4 in maintaining trophoblast stem cells and with the requirement for receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in primitive endoderm formation. Thus, postimplantation lethality of Fgf4 −/− embryos likely results from the failure of proper differentiation and function of extraembryonic cell types. genesis 36:40–47, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.