The transcription factor GATA3 is a downstream effector of Hoxb1 specification in rhombomere 4

Development. 1999 Dec;126(23):5523-31. doi: 10.1242/dev.126.23.5523.

Abstract

In this paper, we show that the transcription factor GATA3 is dynamically expressed during hindbrain development. Function of GATA3 in ventral rhombomere (r) 4 is dependent on functional GATA2, which in turn is under the control of Hoxb1. In particular, the absence of Hoxb1 results in the loss of GATA2 expression in r4 and the absence of GATA2 results in the loss of GATA3 expression. The lack of GATA3 expression in r4 inhibits the projection of contralateral vestibuloacoustic efferent neurons and the migration of facial branchiomotor neurons similar to Hoxb1-deficient mice. Ubiquitous expression of Hoxb1 in the hindbrain induces ectopic expression of GATA2 and GATA3 in ventral r2 and r3. These findings demonstrate that GATA2 and GATA3 lie downstream of Hoxb1 and provide the first example of Hox pathway transcription factors within a defined population of vertebrate motor neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Neurons, Efferent / metabolism
  • Rhombencephalon / embryology*
  • Rhombencephalon / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gata2 protein, mouse
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • HOXB1 homeodomain protein
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors