Abnormal Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus and Growth Retardation Associated with Loss of Nuclear Receptor Gene COUP-TFII.

ABSTRACT: The paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus plays important roles in the regulation of energy balance and fetal growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation and function have not been clearly elucidated. Various mutations in the human COUP-TFII gene, which encodes a nuclear receptor, result in growth retardation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart defects. Here, we show that COUP-TFII gene is expressed in the developing hypothalamus in mouse. The ventral forebrain-specific RXCre/+; COUP-TFII ^F/F mutant mice display growth retardation. The development of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus is compromised in the COUP-TFII mutant mainly because of increased apoptosis and mis-migration of the Brn2⁺ neurons. Moreover, hypopla

SUBMITTER: Feng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5509697 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature