In the past we have focus on defining a set of FGF target genes, One of these, is the transcription factor Gbx1, which is expressed in the gastrulating embryo and nervous system. This past year, in collaboration with a former post-doctoral fellow, we demonstrated that Gbx1 is required in normal locomotion and sensorimotor circuit development. (PLoS ONE. 8: e56214) However, while we can readily identify FGF targets genes, to address the deficiency in our knowledge of what why genes respond to FGF signaling, we have initiated a project to molecularly define the cis-acting elements that cause FGF targets genes to respond to FGF signals. One arm of this project involves characterizing the elements that regulate the expression of Sprouty2 and Sprouty4, two well-characterized FGF target genes that encode proteins that regulate the FGF signaling pathway. We have determined that these Sprouty genes also respond to BMP signaling in our Bmpr mutants that are described in project ZIA BC 010518 (Role of BMP and FGF signaling during limb development). Therefore we are also exploring the idea that the key control elements in Sprouty genes that may be regulated by an interaction between BMP and FGF signaling. In our preliminary studies we have defined sequences derived from Sprouty2 that drive expression in key regions of embryonic FGF signaling. Using mutants described in project ZIA BC 010338 (The Role of Fgf Signaling in Vertebrate Development ) we have determined that reporter gene expression, driven by these sequences, is responsive to in vivo FGF signals. Transfection experiments reveal that these sequences are also FGF responsive in culture cells. Now the goals are to a) determine the minimal FGF and BMP responsive elements b) determine the trans-activing factors that bind to these sequences, using DNA-based techniques. We will also use these elements, as positive controls, define a cell culture system in which to assay FGF responsiveness. Such a system will be used, in our second arm of this project, to screen novel libraries to define regions of FGF responsiveness in the mouse genome. We will always validate any in vitro insights with in vivo experiments, thus providing a powerful approach that should guarantee the significance of our data.
| Rodgers, H M; Huffman, V J; Voronina, V A et al. (2018) The role of the Rx homeobox gene in retinal progenitor proliferation and cell fate specification. Mech Dev 151:18-29 |
| Buckley, Desire M; Burroughs-Garcia, Jessica; Lewandoski, Mark et al. (2013) Characterization of the Gbx1-/- mouse mutant: a requirement for Gbx1 in normal locomotion and sensorimotor circuit development. PLoS One 8:e56214 |
