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An essential function of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase Erk2 in mouse trophoblast development
Author(s) -
SabaElLeil Marc K,
Vella Francis D J,
Vernay Bertrand,
Voisin Laure,
Chen Lan,
Labrecque Nathalie,
Ang SiewLan,
Meloche Sylvain
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.embor939
Subject(s) - trophoblast , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , mapk/erk pathway , protein kinase a , embryonic stem cell , kinase , embryogenesis , embryo , cell growth , placenta , fetus , genetics , gene , pregnancy
The closely related mitogen‐activated protein kinase isoforms extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 have been implicated in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. However, the specific in vivo functions of the two ERK isoforms remain to be analysed. Here, we show that disruption of the Erk2 locus leads to embryonic lethality early in mouse development after the implantation stage. Erk2 mutant embryos fail to form the ectoplacental cone and extra‐embryonic ectoderm, which give rise to mature trophoblast derivatives in the fetus. Analysis of chimeric embryos showed that Erk2 functions in a cell‐autonomous manner during the development of extra‐embryonic cell lineages. We also found that both Erk2 and Erk1 are widely expressed throughout early‐stage embryos. The inability of Erk1 to compensate for Erk2 function suggests a specific function for Erk2 in normal trophoblast development in the mouse, probably in regulating the proliferation of polar trophectoderm cells.