Regulation of morphogenetic movements by a guanine nucleotide-exchange factor involved in Wnt-PCP pathway

神经管的异常形态发生导致神经管缺陷，包括脊柱裂和无脑畸形。我们发现，WGEF，一个新的鸟嘌呤核苷酸交换因子，介导的Wnt-PCP途径在两栖动物胚胎神经管的形态发生运动。在本研究中，我试图建立一个WGEF基因的条件性敲除小鼠作为哺乳动物神经管缺陷模型。迄今为止，已经有几个WGEF基因座的条件性敲除等位基因通过同源重组导入ES细胞。使用这种ES细胞系，已经产生了携带WGEF条件敲除细胞的嵌合体小鼠。

Abnormal morphogenesis of the neural tube leads to neural tube defects including spina bifida and anencephaly. We have revealed that WGEF, a novel guanine nucleotide exchanging factor, mediates Wnt-PCP pathway during morphogenic movements of neural tube in the amphibian embryo. In this study, I attempted to generate a conditional knockout mouse of WGEF gene as a mammalian model of neural tube defects. So far, several conditional knockout allele on the WGEF locus was introduced by homologous recombination in the ES cells. Using this ES cell lines, chimera mice carrying WGEF conditional knockout cells have been generated.