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The role of caudal (Cdx) and Gdf11 genes in the establishment of pattern along the head-to-tail axis of vertebrate embryos

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000C161
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Stephen Gaunt
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,495,705
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2009
End date	31/08/2012
Duration	41 months

Abstract

Hox genes specify development of tissue morphologies (structures) along the head-tail axis of the developing embryo. The body plan of a developing mouse, human or chick embryo is specified by 39 Hox genes. These are differentially expressed ('switched on') along the embryo in a series of partially overlapping domains. A central question in developmental biology is how these domains are established. We have proposed that these form along instructional gradients of the three caudal proteins (Cdx-1, -2 and -4). In support of this, we have shown that (i) Cdx-1, -2 and -4 are expressed in gradients along the developing embryo, with these gradients forming by a mechanism of protein decay, and (ii) the position of a Hox gene’s expression domain along the body can be manipulated e.g. by changing the total dose of Cdx proteins. In future work, we plan to investigate the range of Hox genes affected by each Cdx protein, to characterize the factors that regulate Cdx genes, and to investigate Gdf11 as an additional Hox regulator that may operate in a dose-dependent manner. Our studies upon the regulation of Cdx-1 and -2 have additional value since both genes are implicated in the origins of human colonic tumours.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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