TitleCo-expression of Tbx6 and Sox2 identifies a novel transient neuromesoderm progenitor cell state.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsJavali A, Misra A, Leonavicius K, Acharyya D, Vyas B, Sambasivan R
JournalDevelopment
Volume144
Issue24
Pagination4522-4529
Date Published2017 12 15
ISSN1477-9129
KeywordsAnimals, Body Patterning, Cell Differentiation, Cell Lineage, Embryonic Stem Cells, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Mesoderm, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Neural Tube, SOXB1 Transcription Factors, Spinal Cord, Transcription Factors
Abstract

Elongation of the body axis is a key aspect of body plan development. Bipotential neuromesoderm progenitors (NMPs) ensure axial growth of embryos by contributing both to the spinal cord and mesoderm. The current model for the mechanism controlling NMP deployment invokes Tbx6, a T-box factor, to drive mesoderm differentiation of NMPs. Here, we identify a new population of Tbx6 cells in a subdomain of the NMP niche in mouse embryos. Based on co-expression of a progenitor marker, Sox2, we identify this population as representing a transient cell state in the mesoderm-fated NMP lineage. Genetic lineage tracing confirms the presence of the NMP cell state. Furthermore, we report a novel aspect of the documented mutant phenotype, namely an increase from two to four ectopic neural tubes, corresponding to the switch in NMP niche, thus highlighting the importance of function in NMP fate decision. This study emphasizes the function of Tbx6 as a bistable switch that turns mesoderm fate 'on' and progenitor state 'off', and thus has implications for the molecular mechanism driving NMP fate choice.

DOI10.1242/dev.153262
Alternate JournalDevelopment
PubMed ID29084802