Serum response factor is essential for mesoderm formation during mouse embryogenesis.

摘要: The transcription factor serum response (SRF), a phylogenetically conserved nuclear protein, mediates the rapid transcriptional to extracellular stimuli, e.g. growth and differentiation signals. DNA- protein complexes containing SRF or its homologues function as targets of Ras/MAPK signalling network, thereby directing gene activities associated with processes diverse pheromone signalling, cell-cycle progression (transitions G0-G1 G2-M), neuronal synaptic transmission muscle cell differentiation. So far, activity mammalian has been studied exclusively in cultured cells. To study multicellular organism we generated an Srf null allele mice. SRF-deficient embryos (Srf -/-) have severe gastrulation defect do not develop term. They consist misfolded ectodermal endodermal layers, form primitive streak any detectable mesodermal cells fail express developmental marker genes Bra (T), Bmp-2/4 Shh. Activation SRF-regulated immediate early Egr-1 c-fos, well alpha-Actin gene, is severely impaired. Our identifies new essential regulator mesoderm formation. We therefore suggest that mammals contributes induction, case amphibia.