Tshz1 is required for axial skeleton, soft palate and middle ear development in mice

Members of the Tshz gene family encode putative zinc fingers transcription factors that are broadly expressed during mouse embryogenesis. Tshz1 is detected from E9.5 in the somites, the spinal cord, the limb buds and the branchial arches. In order to assess the function of Tshzl during mouse development, we generated Tslizl-deficient mice. Tshzl inactivation leads to neonatal lethality and causes multiple developmental defects. In the craniofacial region, loss of Tshzl function leads to specific malformations of middle ear components, including the malleus and the tympanic ring. Tvhzl(-/-) mice exhibited Hox-like vertebral malformations and homeotic transformations in the cervical and thoracic regions, suggesting that Tshzl and Hox genes are involved in common pathways to control skeletal morphogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that Tshzl is required for the development of the soft palate. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.