Article Abstract:
It has been shown that Bmp4 is essential for generation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in mouse embryos. Bmp4 homozygous null embryos have no PGCs and lack an allantois, which, as do the PGCs, comes from precursors in the proximal epiblast. Chimera analysis shows it is the Mvp4 expression in the extraembryonic ectoderm that regulates formation of allantois and PGC precursors as well as the size of the founding population of PGCs. The initiation of the germ line in mice is dependent on a secreted signal from the already-segregated extraembryonic trophectoderm lineage.
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Article Abstract:
Foxc1 and Foxc2, transcription factors in mice, have been found to be required for cardiovascular development and somitogenesis and are proposed to interact with the Notch signaling pathway. It appears that the genes have similar, dose-dependent functions nd compensate for one another in early hearr/blood vessel/somite development.
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Article Abstract:
Distinct mesodermal signals have been found to be, in combination, necessary for hepatogenesis from the endoderm. The required signals include BMPs from the septum transversum mesenchyme; the cells are close to the ventral endoderm. The endodermal domain for the liver is specified by simultaneous signaling.
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