The restricted expression pattern of the POU factor Oct-6 during early development of the mouse nervous system

Mech Dev. 1996 Feb;54(2):185-94. doi: 10.1016/0925-4773(95)00472-6.

Abstract

Oct-6 is a POU transcription factor that is thought to play a role in the differentiation of cells of neuroectodermal origin. To investigate whether the Oct-6 protein could play a role in the establishment of neuroectoderm in vivo we studied the expression of the Oct-6 protein during early mouse development. Expression is first observed in the primitive ectoderm of the egg cylinder stage embryo. In gastrulating embryos, Oct-6 protein is found in the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the chorion and the anterior ectoderm of the embryo proper. As development proceeds, Oct-6 expression becomes more restricted to the anterior medial part of the embryo until Oct-6 positive cells are observed only in the neural groove of the headfold stage embryo. In the late headfold stage embryo, Oct-6 expression is detected in the neuroepithelium of the entire brain and later is restricted to a more ventral and anterior position. As the anterior neuropore closes, Oct-6 protein is detected in a segment-like pattern in the mid-and forebrain. Thus, the expression pattern of the Oct-6 gene agrees with a role for the Oct-6 protein in the establishment and regional specification of the neuroectoderm in vivo. The two waves of widespread induction of the Oct-6 gene, one in the primitive ectoderm and another in the primitive brain, both followed by a progressive restriction in the expression patterns suggest a mechanism for the regulation of the gene.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Brain / embryology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-6
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Pou3f1 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-6