DUXO, a novel double homeobox transcription factor, is a regulator of the gastrula organizer in human embryonic stem cells

Nadav Sharon, Ishay Mor, Eden Zahavi, Nissim Benvenisty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells differentiate into gastrula organizer cells that express typical markers and induce secondary axes when injected into frog embryos. Here, we report that these human organizer cells express DUXO (DUX of the Organizer), a novel member of the double-homeobox (DUX) family of transcription factors, a group of genes unique to placental mammals. Both of DUXO's homeodomains share high similarity with those of Siamois and Twin, the initial inducers of the amphibian gastrula organizer. DUXO overexpression in human embryoid bodies induces organizer related genes, whereas its knock down hampers formation of the organizer and its derivatives. Finally, we show that DUXO regulates GOOSECOID, the canonical organizer marker, in a direct manner, suggesting that DUXO is a major regulator of human organizer formation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)261-269
Number of pages9
JournalStem Cell Research
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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