1. Targeted mutation reveals essential functions of the homeodomain transcription factor Shox2 in sinoatrial and pacemaking development.
- Author
-
Blaschke RJ, Hahurij ND, Kuijper S, Just S, Wisse LJ, Deissler K, Maxelon T, Anastassiadis K, Spitzer J, Hardt SE, Schöler H, Feitsma H, Rottbauer W, Blum M, Meijlink F, Rappold G, and Gittenberger-de Groot AC
- Subjects
- Animals, Bradycardia embryology, Bradycardia genetics, Connexin 43 analysis, Connexins analysis, Embryonic Development genetics, Fetal Heart pathology, Gene Targeting, Genes, Lethal, Heart Conduction System embryology, Heart Conduction System physiopathology, Heart Defects, Congenital embryology, Heart Defects, Congenital genetics, Heart Valves embryology, Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5, Homeodomain Proteins analysis, Homeodomain Proteins genetics, Mice embryology, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Myocardium pathology, Myocytes, Cardiac cytology, Phenotype, Sinoatrial Node embryology, Transcription Factors analysis, Transcription Factors genetics, Zebrafish embryology, Zebrafish Proteins deficiency, Zebrafish Proteins genetics, Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Heart embryology, Homeodomain Proteins physiology, Transcription Factors physiology, Zebrafish Proteins physiology
- Abstract
Background: Identifying molecular pathways regulating the development of pacemaking and coordinated heartbeat is crucial for a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of arrhythmia-related diseases. Elucidation of these pathways has been complicated mainly by an insufficient definition of the developmental structures involved in these processes and the unavailability of animal models specifically targeting the relevant tissues. Here, we report on a highly restricted expression pattern of the homeodomain transcription factor Shox2 in the sinus venosus myocardium, including the sinoatrial nodal region and the venous valves., Methods and Results: To investigate its function in vivo, we have generated mouse lines carrying a targeted mutation of the Shox2 gene. Although heterozygous animals did not exhibit obvious defects, homozygosity of the targeted allele led to embryonic lethality at 11.5 to 13.5 dpc. Shox2-/- embryos exhibited severe hypoplasia of the sinus venosus myocardium in the posterior heart field, including the sinoatrial nodal region and venous valves. We furthermore demonstrate aberrant expression of connexin 40 and connexin 43 and the transcription factor Nkx2.5 in vivo specifically within the sinoatrial nodal region and show that Shox2 deficiency interferes with pacemaking function in zebrafish embryos., Conclusions: From these results, we postulate a critical function of Shox2 in the recruitment of sinus venosus myocardium comprising the sinoatrial nodal region.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF