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Molecular and Cellular Biology, January 2006, p. 77-87, Vol. 26, No. 1
0270-7306/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MCB.26.1.77-87.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Defects in Yolk Sac Vasculogenesis, Chorioallantoic Fusion, and Embryonic Axis Elongation in Mice with Targeted Disruption of Yap65

Elizabeth M. Morin-Kensicki,^1,2,* Brian N. Boone,^1, Michael Howell,¹ Jaclyn R. Stonebraker,³ Jeremy Teed,¹ James G. Alb,¹ Terry R. Magnuson,² Wanda O'Neal,³ and Sharon L. Milgram^1,3

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, CB7090, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7090,¹ Department of Genetics, CB7264, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7264,² Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center, CB7248, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7248³

Received 6 May 2005/ Returned for modification 10 July 2005/ Accepted 8 October 2005

YAP is a multifunctional adapter protein and transcriptional coactivator with several binding partners well described in vitro and in cell culture. To explore in vivo requirements for YAP, we generated mice carrying a targeted disruption of the Yap gene. Homozygosity for the Yap^tm1Smil allele (Yap^–/–) caused developmental arrest around E8.5. Phenotypic characterization revealed a requirement for YAP in yolk sac vasculogenesis. Yolk sac endothelial and erythrocyte precursors were specified as shown by histology, PECAM1 immunostaining, and alpha globin expression. Nonetheless, development of an organized yolk sac vascular plexus failed in Yap^–/– embryos. In striking contrast, vasculogenesis proceeded in both the allantois and the embryo proper. Mutant embryos showed patterned gene expression domains along the anteroposterior neuraxis, midline, and streak/tailbud. Despite this evidence of proper patterning and tissue specification, Yap^–/– embryos showed developmental perturbations that included a notably shortened body axis, convoluted anterior neuroepithelium, caudal dysgenesis, and failure of chorioallantoic fusion. These results reveal a vital requirement for YAP in the developmental processes of yolk sac vasculogenesis, chorioallantoic attachment, and embryonic axis elongation.

E.M.M.-K. and B.N.B contributed equally to this study.

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