A Gene Regulatory Network Balances Neural and Mesoderm Specification during Vertebrate Trunk Development.

ABSTRACT: Transcriptional networks, regulated by extracellular signals, control cell fate decisions and determine the size and composition of developing tissues. One example is the network controlling bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) that fuel embryo elongation by generating spinal cord and trunk mesoderm tissue. Here, we use single-cell transcriptomics to identify the molecular signature of NMPs and reverse engineer the mechanism that regulates their differentiation. Together with genetic perturbations, this reveals a transcriptional network that integrates opposing retinoic acid (RA) and Wnt signals to determine the rate at which cells enter and exit the NMP state. RA, produced by newly generated mesodermal cells, provides feedback that initiates NMP generation and induces neural differ

SUBMITTER: Gouti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5425255 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature