The snail family gene snai3 is not essential for embryogenesis in mice

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 6;8(6):e65344. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065344. Print 2013.

Abstract

The Snail gene family encodes zinc finger-containing transcriptional repressor proteins. Three members of the Snail gene family have been described in mammals, encoded by the Snai1, Snai2, and Snai3 genes. The function of the Snai1 and Snai2 genes have been studied extensively during both vertebrate embryogenesis and tumor progression and metastasis, and play critically important roles during these processes. However, little is known about the function of the Snai3 gene and protein. We describe here generation and analysis of Snai3 conditional and null mutant mice. We also generated an EYFP-tagged Snai3 null allele that accurately reflects endogenous Snai3 gene expression, with the highest levels of expression detected in thymus and skeletal muscle. Snai3 null mutant homozygous mice are viable and fertile, and exhibit no obvious phenotypic defects. These results demonstrate that Snai3 gene function is not essential for embryogenesis in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Embryonic Development / genetics*
  • Founder Effect*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Homozygote
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle, Skeletal / embryology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Thymus Gland / embryology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Snai3 protein, mouse
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors