International Mammalian Genome Society

The 14th International Mouse Genome Conference (2000)

Table of Contents * Genes, Physical Mapping and Sequencing * Gene Identification * Bioinformatics * Common Resources * RIKEN Session * Functional Genomics * Complex Traits * Mutagenesis * Developmental Genetics and Differentiation * Verne Chapman Memorial Lecture I and II

I14. Otx2 and Craniofacial Development

S. Aizawa^1,2, T. Hide¹, C. Kimura¹ and I. Matsuo^1
1Department of Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University
²Vertebrate Body Plan Group, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology

Cephalic neural crest cells play essential roles in craniofacial development. Otx2 is a gene that plays central roles in head development and is also expressed in the cephalic neural crest cells. We have previously reported Otx2 heterozygotes exhibit a variety of craniofacial defects in C57BL/6 background, but not in CBA background (Genes Dev. 9, 2646-, 1995). Here we report (1) cis-regulatory elements that are identified by making transgenic embryos with LacZ gene as a reporter (Deve, 124, 3929, 1997), (2) components of cranial nerves and skeltons that are regulated by Otx2 and their implication in vertebrate body plan, (3) mapping of a modifier gene that is responsible for the difference of the Otx2 phenotype between C57BL/6 and CBA backgrounds.