Dynamic expression pattern of Hoxc8 during mouse early embryogenesis

Abstract

The Hoxc8 expression pattern was examined in mouse embryos 7.5-12.5 days postcoitum (dpc) using whole-mount in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. The expression of Hoxc8 started between 7.5 and 8.5 dpc. A strong expression was detected in the ectoderm and mesoderm at 8.5 dpc. At 9.5 dpc, a distinct anterior boundary of Hoxc8 expression was established at the 10th and 16th somites in the neural tube and the paraxial mesoderm, respectively. This staggered expression pattern was maintained throughout the later stages. By 12.5 dpc, the forward progression of the Hoxc8 expression pattern was observed and the stain was weakened. In the ectodermderived neural tube, strong Hoxc8 expression was observed in the ventral horn and later in the ventral and mediolateral region of the mantle layer, indicating a possible association with the onset and progression of neural differentiation. In the case of the mesoderm-derivative cells, strong Hoxc8 expression was detected in the sclerotome on the way to the notochord and neural tube and mesonephros, suggesting a role of Hoxc8 in the formation of the vertebrae and ribs and the possible involvement in the differentiation into the kidney.

Hoxc8 Downregulates Mgl1 Tumor Suppressor Gene Expression and Reduces Its Concomitant Function on Cell Adhesion

“…First, we analyzed the expression pattern of Mgl1 and Hoxc8 in embryonic and adult tissues to understand the relationship between Hoxc8 and Mgl1 gene expression in mice. The expression pattern of Hoxc8 in developing mouse embryos has been intensively studied by our group and others (Awgulewitsch and Jacobs, 1990;Breier et al, 1988;Kwon et al, 2005;Le Mouellic et al, 1988). Our current data verified the distinct expression patterns of Hoxc8 in early embryos, in accordance with the previous results (Fig.…”

“…As shown in Fig. 1B, position specific expression pattern of Hoxc8, which were already shown in previous reports (Chung et al, 2010;Kwon et al, 2005;Min et al, 2010) was detected: strong expression in the thoracic region (slices 3 and 4) and low expression in the area containing the brain and tail (slices 1 and 5). In the case of Mgl1, the opposite expression patterns were detected; high levels of expression in slices 1 and 5 ( Figs.…”

Protein Networks as Logic Functions in Development and Cancer

“…For instance, the single most predictive interaction identified was between HOXC8 and SMAD1, a transcriptional heterodimer that is known to induce osteoblast differentiation [37]. Also consistent with the logic identified by NGF ( Figure 2 ), HOXC8 is highly expressed in ectoderm and mesoderm during mouse early embryogenesis [38].…”

Gene Expression Profile of Patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome: New Insights into the Potential Role of Developmental Pathways

“…[6] reported a deregulation of HOXA genes, we observed a significant downregulation of HOXB2 and HOXB5 in most of MRKHS patients. At the same time, we observed a strong overexpression of HOXC8 , which is known to be involved in correct patterning of the axial skeleton along the antero-posterior axis during early embryogenesis [36] and in kidney differentiation [37], only in type I MRKHS patients. In light of these considerations, we can hypothesize that a consistent overexpression of HOXC8 might be a compensatory mechanism to offset the decreased expression of other developmental genes, which can limit the onset of other malformations, especially those involving renal system, and then produce a milder phenotype (type I MRKHS).…”