Mice Lacking the Nkx6.2 (Gtx) Homeodomain Transcription Factor Develop and Reproduce Normally

Abstract

The Nkx homeobox genes are expressed in a variety of developing tissues and have been implicated in controlling tissue patterning and cell differentiation. Expression of Nkx6.2(Gtx) was previously observed in the embryonic neural tube, testis, and differentiating oligodendrocytes. To investigate the role of Nkx6.2 in the control of cell specification and differentiation, we generated mice with null mutations in Nkx6.2 using the standard gene targeting approach. Null mutant mice were viable and fertile without apparent histological and immunohistochemical changes in the central nervous systems and testis. The absence of detectable phenotypes suggests a redundant function ofNkx6.2 in mouse development.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Seigo Izumo for the full-lengthNkx6.2 (Gtx) cDNA probe.

This work was supported by NSF (IBN 9808126), NIH (R01 NS37717), and National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

J.C. and Y.Q. contributed equally to this work.