High impact information on Meox1

• Mox1 and Mox2 are closely related homeobox genes that are expressed in overlapping patterns in the paraxial mesoderm and its derivatives [1].
• Because Bapx1 expression in the somites starts slightly later than that of the Meox genes, we asked whether Bapx1 is one of their downstream targets [2].
• In particular, our studies place Meox gene function upstream of Pax genes in the regulation of chondrogenic and myogenic differentiation of paraxial mesoderm [3].
• By contrast, mice carrying null mutations for both Meox genes display a dramatic and wide-ranging synthetic phenotype associated with extremely disrupted somite morphogenesis, patterning and differentiation [3].
• Analysis of Mox1 and Pax1 expression in opb embryos revealed additional defects in the differentiation of the dorsal sclerotome [4].

Biological context of Meox1

• The Meox1 and Meox2 homeobox genes are expressed in the somites and their derivatives during embryogenesis [3].
• Mice homozygous for a null mutation in Meox1 display relatively mild defects in sclerotome derived vertebral and rib bones, whereas absence of Meox2 function leads to defective differentiation and morphogenesis of the limb muscles [3].
• To further define their roles in regulating myogenesis, the function of wild type and dominant-negative forms of Gli2 and Meox1 were examined in the context of differentiating P19 stem cells [5].

Anatomical context of Meox1

• Our results demonstrate that Meox1 and Meox2 genes function together and upstream of several genetic hierarchies that are required for the development of somites [3].
• Gli2 and Meox1 are transcription factors that are expressed in the developing somite and play roles in the commitment of cells to the skeletal muscle lineage [5].
• Furthermore, aggregated P19 cell lines expressing Gli2 or Meox1 also up-regulated the expression of cardiac muscle factors, leading to cardiomyogenesis [6].
• Thus, the Meox1(Cre) allele allows detailed fate-mapping of Meox1-expressing tissues, including derivatives of the somitic mesoderm [7].
• At primitive streak stages (approximately 7.0 days post coitum), Mox-1 is expressed in mesoderm lying posterior of the future primordial head and heart [8].

Associations of Meox1 with chemical compounds

• Preincubation with atorvastatin dose-dependently downregulated this Mox-1 mRNA expression [9].

Regulatory relationships of Meox1

• Their irregularly shaped somites expressed a somite marker gene Mox 1 but failed to express myogenin [10].

Other interactions of Meox1

• Thrombin was without effect on p(22phox) and heme oxygenase-1 mRNA expression but, after 3 h of stimulation, induced a two-fold increase in that of Mox-1 [9].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Meox1

• Furthermore, by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we demonstrate that Meox1 can bind the Bapx1 promoter [2].

References