'Goosecoid' was cloned from a cDNA library constructed from isolated dorsal lip tissue of Xenopus laevis gastrula
stage embryos (Blumberg et al., 1991). It encodes a homeodomain transcription factor with DNA binding specificity
identical to that of the anterior morphogen 'bicoid' in Drosophila.
/////////Interacts with Foxl2 in yeast two-hybrid screening.
NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a member of the bicoid subfamily of the paired (PRD) homeobox family of proteins. The encoded protein acts as a transcription factor and may be autoregulatory. A similar protein in mice plays a role in craniofacial and rib cage development during embryogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
General function
DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Comment
Expression regulated by
Comment
Ovarian localization
Primordial Germ Cell
Comment
Gscl, a gene within the minimal DiGeorge critical region, is expressed in primordial germ cells and the developing pons. Galili N et al. Gscl, a paired-type homeobox gene, has been implicated in the pathology of DGS/VCFS by virtue of its genomic location and its structural similarity to the Gsc gene family. Immunohistochemical and in situ studies were performed to examine the expression pattern of this gene during embryonic development. A polyclonal antibody, generated to the full-length protein and shown to be specific for GSCL by both Western blotting and immunofluorescence, was used for immunohistochemical localization. Both in situ and antibody staining localized GSCL expression to a cluster of cells in the pons region of the developing brain. This GSCL expression pattern showed partial overlap with that of Pax6. More detailed immunohistochemistry revealed the GSCL in primordial germ cells during migration from the epithelium of the hindgut and later as they colonize the developing gonads. GSCL was not detected in tissues affected in DGS/VCSF.
Follicle stages
Comment
Phenotypes
Mutations
1 mutations
Species: mouse
Mutation name: None
type: null mutation fertility: embryonic lethal Comment:Yamada et al. (1995) generated mice deficient in the goosecoid gene by targeted disruption. Mice that are
homozygous mutants do not display a gastrulation phenotype and are born; however, they do not survive more than
24 hours. Analysis of the homozygotes revealed numerous developmental defects affecting those structures in
which goosecoid is expressed during its second (late) phase of embryonic expression. Predominantly these defects
involve the lower mandible and its associated musculature, including the tongue, the nasal cavity, and the nasal
pits, as well as components of the inner ear and the external auditory meatus.