Sall1, sall2, and sall4 are required for neural tube closure in mice

Am J Pathol. 2008 Nov;173(5):1455-63. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2008.071039. Epub 2008 Sep 25.

Abstract

Four homologs to the Drosophila homeotic gene spalt (sal) exist in both humans and mice (SALL1 to SALL4/Sall1 to Sall4, respectively). Mutations in both SALL1 and SALL4 result in the autosomal-dominant developmental disorders Townes-Brocks and Okihiro syndrome, respectively. In contrast, no human diseases have been associated with SALL2 to date, and Sall2-deficient mice have shown no apparent abnormal phenotype. We generated mice deficient in Sall2 and, contrary to previous reports, 11% of our Sall2-deficient mice showed background-specific neural tube defects, suggesting that Sall2 has a role in neurogenesis. To investigate whether Sall4 may compensate for the absence of Sall2, we generated compound Sall2 knockout/Sall4 genetrap mutant mice. In these mutants, the incidence of neural tube defects was significantly increased. Furthermore, we found a similar phenotype in compound Sall1/4 mutant mice, and in vitro studies showed that SALL1, SALL2, and SALL4 all co-localized in the nucleus. We therefore suggest a fundamental and redundant function of the Sall proteins in murine neurulation, with the heterozygous loss of a particular SALL protein also possibly compensated in humans during development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / abnormalities
  • Embryo, Mammalian / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Targeting
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neural Crest / metabolism
  • Neural Crest / pathology
  • Neural Tube / embryology*
  • Neural Tube / metabolism*
  • Neural Tube Defects / metabolism
  • Neural Tube Defects / pathology
  • Neurulation
  • Skull / embryology
  • Skull / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Sall1 protein, mouse
  • Sall2 protein, mouse
  • Sall4 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors