The paired-box homeodomain transcription factor Pax3 is a key regulator of the nervous system, neural crest and skeletal muscle development. Despite the important role of this transcription factor, very few direct target genes have been characterized. We show that Itm2a, which encodes a type 2 transmembrane protein, is a direct Pax3 target in vivo, by combining genetic approaches and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. We have generated a conditional mutant allele for Itm2a, which is an imprinted gene, by flanking exons 2-4 with loxP sites and inserting an IRESnLacZ reporter in the 3′ UTR of the gene. The LacZ reporter reproduces the expression profile of Itm2a, and allowed us to further characterize its expression at sites of myogenesis, in the dermomyotome and myotome of somites, and in limb buds, in the mouse embryo. We further show that Itm2a is not only expressed in adult muscle fibres but also in the satellite cells responsible for regeneration. Itm2a mutant mice are viable and fertile with no overt phenotype during skeletal muscle formation or regeneration. Potential compensatory mechanisms are discussed.
Itm2a is a Pax3 target gene, expressed at sites of skeletal muscle formation in vivo
Lagha, M.; Mayeuf-Louchart, A.; Chang, T.; Montarras, D.; Rocancourt, D.; Zalc, A.; Kormish, J.; Zaret, K. S.; Buckingham, M. E.; Relaix, F.
2013
PLoS One
2013 / vol 8 / pages e63143
Abstract
10.1371/journal.pone.0063143 PONE-D-12-14293 [pii]
1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking)
IGMM team(s) involved in this publication
Mounia Lagha
Regulation of gene expression during development
Tags
Female; Animals; Mice; Male; Mice, Transgenic; *Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cell Nucleus/metabolism; Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5/metabolism; Muscle Development; Paired Box Transcription Factors/*metabolism; Membrane Proteins/*genetics/metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal/cytology/*embryology/metabolism; Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/metabolism