Embryology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Embryology, including details on stem cells, reproduction, transplants, cloning.

Arp3 is required during preimplantation development of the mouse embryo.

Vauti F, Prochnow BR, Freese E, Ramasamy SK, Ruiz P, Arnold HH

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.

The role of Arp3 in mouse development was investigated utilizing a gene trap mutation in the Arp3 gene. Heterozygous Arp3(WT/GT) mice are normal, however, homozygous Arp3(GT/GT) embryos die at blastocyst stage. Earlier embryonic stages appear unaffected by the mutation, probably due to maternal Arp3 protein. Mutant blastocysts isolated at E3.5 fail to continue development in vitro, lack outgrowth of trophoblast-like cells in culture and express reduced levels of the trophoblast marker Cdx2, while markers for inner cell mass continue to be present. The recessive embryonic lethal phenotype indicates that Arp3 plays a vital role for early mouse development, possibly when trophoblast cells become critical for implantation.

Published 6 December 2007 in FEBS Lett, 581(29): 5691-7.
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