Abstract
The GCM family of transcription factors consists of Drosophila melanogaster GCM, an important regulator of gliogenesis in the fly, and its two mammalian homologs, GCMa and GCMb. To clarify the function of these mammalian homologs, we deleted GCMa in mice. Genetic ablation of murine GCMa (mGCMa) is embryonic lethal, with mice dying between 9.5 and 10 days postcoitum. At the time of death, no abnormalities were apparent in the embryo proper. Nervous system development, in particular, was not impaired, as might have been expected in analogy to Drosophila GCM. Instead, placental failure was the cause of death. In agreement with the selective expression of mGCMa in labyrinthine trophoblasts, mutant placentas did not develop a functional labyrinth layer, which is necessary for nutrient and gas exchange between maternal and fetal blood. Only a few fetal blood vessels entered the placenta, and these failed to thrive and branch normally. Labyrinthine trophoblasts did not differentiate. All other layers of the placenta, including spongiotrophoblast and giant cell layer, formed normally. Our results indicate that mGCMa plays a critical role in trophoblast differentiation and the signal transduction processes required for normal vascularization of the placenta.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2466-2474 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Molecular and Cellular Biology |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Cite this
Placental failure in mice lacking the mammalian homolog of glial cells missing, GCMa. / Schreiber, Jörg; Riethmacher-Sonnenberg, Eva; Riethmacher, Dieter; Tuerk, Elisabeth E.; Enderich, Janna; Bösl, Michael R.; Wegner, Michael.
In: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Vol. 20, No. 7, 04.2000, p. 2466-2474.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Placental failure in mice lacking the mammalian homolog of glial cells missing, GCMa
AU - Schreiber, Jörg
AU - Riethmacher-Sonnenberg, Eva
AU - Riethmacher, Dieter
AU - Tuerk, Elisabeth E.
AU - Enderich, Janna
AU - Bösl, Michael R.
AU - Wegner, Michael
PY - 2000/4
Y1 - 2000/4
N2 - The GCM family of transcription factors consists of Drosophila melanogaster GCM, an important regulator of gliogenesis in the fly, and its two mammalian homologs, GCMa and GCMb. To clarify the function of these mammalian homologs, we deleted GCMa in mice. Genetic ablation of murine GCMa (mGCMa) is embryonic lethal, with mice dying between 9.5 and 10 days postcoitum. At the time of death, no abnormalities were apparent in the embryo proper. Nervous system development, in particular, was not impaired, as might have been expected in analogy to Drosophila GCM. Instead, placental failure was the cause of death. In agreement with the selective expression of mGCMa in labyrinthine trophoblasts, mutant placentas did not develop a functional labyrinth layer, which is necessary for nutrient and gas exchange between maternal and fetal blood. Only a few fetal blood vessels entered the placenta, and these failed to thrive and branch normally. Labyrinthine trophoblasts did not differentiate. All other layers of the placenta, including spongiotrophoblast and giant cell layer, formed normally. Our results indicate that mGCMa plays a critical role in trophoblast differentiation and the signal transduction processes required for normal vascularization of the placenta.
AB - The GCM family of transcription factors consists of Drosophila melanogaster GCM, an important regulator of gliogenesis in the fly, and its two mammalian homologs, GCMa and GCMb. To clarify the function of these mammalian homologs, we deleted GCMa in mice. Genetic ablation of murine GCMa (mGCMa) is embryonic lethal, with mice dying between 9.5 and 10 days postcoitum. At the time of death, no abnormalities were apparent in the embryo proper. Nervous system development, in particular, was not impaired, as might have been expected in analogy to Drosophila GCM. Instead, placental failure was the cause of death. In agreement with the selective expression of mGCMa in labyrinthine trophoblasts, mutant placentas did not develop a functional labyrinth layer, which is necessary for nutrient and gas exchange between maternal and fetal blood. Only a few fetal blood vessels entered the placenta, and these failed to thrive and branch normally. Labyrinthine trophoblasts did not differentiate. All other layers of the placenta, including spongiotrophoblast and giant cell layer, formed normally. Our results indicate that mGCMa plays a critical role in trophoblast differentiation and the signal transduction processes required for normal vascularization of the placenta.
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U2 - 10.1128/MCB.20.7.2466-2474.2000
DO - 10.1128/MCB.20.7.2466-2474.2000
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 2466
EP - 2474
JO - Molecular and Cellular Biology
JF - Molecular and Cellular Biology
SN - 0270-7306
IS - 7
ER -