Expression of the NET family member Zfp503 is regulated by hedgehog and BMP signaling in the limb

Abstract

The NET/Nlz family of zinc finger transcription factors contribute to aspects of developmental growth and patterning across evolutionarily diverse species. To date, however, these molecules remain largely uncharacterized in mouse and chick. We previously reported that limb bud expression of Zfp503, the mouse orthologue of zebrafish nlz2/znf503, is dependent on Gli3. Here, we show that Zfp503/Znf503 is expressed in a restricted pattern during mouse and chick embryogenesis, with particularly dynamic expression in the developing limbs, face, somites, and brain. We also add to our previous data on Gli3 regulation by showing that the anterior domain of Zfp503 expression in the mouse limb is responsive to genetic and nongenetic manipulation of hedgehog signaling. Finally, we demonstrate that posterior expression of Znf503 in the chick limb is responsive to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, indicating that Zfp503/Znf503 may act at the nexus of multiple signaling pathways in development.