MOUSE MESENCHYME FORKHEAD-2 (MF2) - EXPRESSION, DNA-BINDING AND INDUCTION BY SONIC HEDGEHOG DURING SOMITOGENESIS

Cloning and sequencing of mouse Mf2 (mesoderm/mesenchyme forkhead 2) c DNAs revealed an open reading frame encoding a putative protein of 492 amino acids which, after in vitro translation, binds to a DNA consens us sequence. Mf2 is expressed at high levels in the ventral region of newly formed somites, in sclerotomal derivatives, in lateral plate and cephalic mesoderm and in the first and second branchial arches. Other regions of mesodermal expression include the developing tongue, menin ges, nose, whiskers, kidney, genital tubercule and Limb joints. In the nervous system Mf2 is transcribed in restricted regions of the mid-an d forebrain. In several tissues, including the early somite, Mf2 is ex pressed in cell populations adjacent to regions expressing sonic hedge hog (Shh) and in explant cultures of presomitic mesoderm Mf2 is induce d by Shh secreted by COS cells. These results suggest that Mf2, Like o ther murine forkhead genes, has multiple roles in embryogenesis, possi bly mediating the response of cells to signaling molecules such as SHH . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.