During mammalian development, the Cdx1 homeobox gene exhibits an early period of expression when the embryonic body axis is established, and a later period where expression is restricted to the embryonic intestinal endoderm. Cdx1 expression is maintained throughout adulthood in the proliferative cell compartment of the continuously renewed intestinal epithelium, the crypts. In this study, we provide evidence in vitro and in vivo that Cdx1 is a direct transcriptional target of the Wnt/(beta)-catenin signaling pathway. Upon Wnt stimulation, expression of Cdx1 can be induced in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells as well as in undifferentiated rat embryonic endoderm. Tcf4-deficient mouse embryos show abrogation of Cdx1 protein in the small intestinal epithelium, making Tcf4 the likely candidate to transduce Wnt signal in this part of gut. The promoter region of the Cdx1 gene contains several Tcf-binding motifs, and these bind Tcf/Lef1/(beta)-catenin complexes and mediate (beta)-catenin-dependent transactivation. The transcriptional regulation of the homeobox gene Cdx1 in the intestinal epithelium by Wnt/(beta)-catenin signaling underlines the importance of this signaling pathway in mammalian endoderm development.
Wnt/(beta)-catenin signaling regulates the expression of the homeobox gene Cdx1 in embryonic intestine
H. Lickert, C. Domon, G. Huls, C. Wehrle, I. Duluc, H. Clevers, B.I. Meyer, J.N. Freund, R. Kemler; Wnt/(beta)-catenin signaling regulates the expression of the homeobox gene Cdx1 in embryonic intestine. Development 1 September 2000; 127 (17): 3805–3813. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.127.17.3805
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development Journal Meeting 2022: From Stem Cells to Human Development
-JournalMeeting.png?versionId=3773)
Following a virtual meeting in 2020, we are delighted to announce that the fifth iteration of our popular Journal Meeting will be held from 11-14 September 2022 at the historic Wotton House, Surrey. Registration is open now.
Special Issue: The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
(update)-ImmuneSI.png?versionId=3773)
Our latest special issue is now complete. It showcases articles that add to the repertoire of immune cell functions during development, repair and regeneration, and provide insights into the developmental pathways leading to the generation and dispersal of these cells. You can watch recordings from our Development presents... webinar celebrating the special issue here.
Propose a new Workshop
-GSWorkshop.png?versionId=3773)
Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Preprints in Development
(update)-InPreprints.png?versionId=3773)
As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context. You can read the first article here.
FocalPlane Network launched
-FocalPlaneNetworkLaunch.png?versionId=3773)
Like the Node Network, the aim of the FocalPlane Network is to facilitate promotion and networking as well as assist those seeking conference speakers, committee members, reviewers or collaborators. We hope that it will help promote diversity in the community. Find out more and join the Network here.