Fig. 5. Marker analyses of anterior-posterior axis formation. (A-C),
Brachyury (T) expression in E7.5 embryos. The embryo shown
in B is one of about 60% (32/56) of the Ldb1 mutant embryos in which
proximal-distal extension of the primitive streak appears normal. The embryo
shown in C represents mutant embryos in which the expression pattern of
T is abnomal. In this lateral view we observe a twisted expression
domain of T, with seemingly normal distal extension. (D-F) T
expression in E8.5 embryos. (D) Wild-type T expression pattern
marking the region of the primitive streak (arrowhead) and the notochord
(arrow). (E,F), Ldb1 null mutant embryos with two primitive streaks
(arrowheads) connected distally. Two notochords are visible as well (arrows).
(G-J), Otx2 expression at E7.75 (G,H) and E7.5 (I,J) is restricted in
the mutant (H,J) compared to the wild type (G,I). (K,L), Hnf3ß
expression in E7.75 embryos. Two posterior expression domains were found in
the mutant (L). (K) The wild-type expression of Hnf3ß in
anteriorly migrated endomesodermal cells is indicated by an arrow. This
expression domain is absent in the mutant embryo (L). (M,N), Lim1
expression at E7.5 showing presence of one node in the wild-type (M, arrow)
and two nodes in the mutant (N, arrows). (O,P) Dkk1 expression at
mid-streak stage is absent in the mutant embryo (P). (Q,R), Hesx1
expression at E7.75 is not detectable in the ANE of the mutant. The scale bars
represent 100 µm.