Pbx1/Pbx2 govern axial skeletal development by controlling Polycomb and Hox in mesoderm and Pax1/Pax9 in sclerotome.

ABSTRACT: The post-cranial axial skeleton consists of a metameric series of vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, as well as adjoining ribs and sternum. Patterning of individual vertebrae and distinct regions of the vertebral column is accomplished by Polycomb and Hox proteins in the paraxial mesoderm, while their subsequent morphogenesis depends partially on Pax1/Pax9 in the sclerotome. In this study, we uncover that Pbx1/Pbx2 are co-expressed during successive stages of vertebral and rib development. Next, by exploiting a Pbx1/Pbx2 loss-of-function mouse, we show that decreasing Pbx2 dosage in the absence of Pbx1 affects axial development more severely than single loss of Pbx1. Pbx1/Pbx2 mutants exhibit a homogeneous vertebral column, with loss of vertebral identity, rudimentary ribs, and ros

SUBMITTER: Capellini TD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5918304 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature