Background: The dual-specificity T-box/basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor MGA is part of the MAX-interacting network of proteins. In the mouse, MGA is necessary for the survival of the pluripotent epiblast cells of the peri-implantation embryo and a null, gene-trap allele MgaGt results in embryonic lethality shortly after implantation. We have used this allele to document expression of Mga in postimplantation embryos and also investigated a second, hypomorphic gene-trap allele, MgaInv.
Results: Compound heterozygotes, MgaGt/MgaInv, die prior to midgestation. The extraembryonic portion of the embryos appears to develop relatively normally while the embryonic portion, including the pluripotent cells of the epiblast, is severely retarded by E7.5. Mga expression is initially limited to the pluripotent inner cell mass of the blastocyst and epiblast, but during organogenesis it is widely expressed, notably in the central nervous system and sensory organs, reproductive and excretory systems, heart, somites and limbs.
Conclusions: Widespread yet specific areas of expression of Mga during organogenesis raise the possibility that the transcription factor may play roles in controlling proliferation and potency in the progenitor cell populations of different organ systems. Documentation of these patterns sets the stage for the investigation of specific progenitor cell types.
Keywords: Mouse; Pluripotency; T-box; Transcription factor; bHLHZip.
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