Distribution of the titf2/foxe1 gene product is consistent with an important role in the development of foregut endoderm, palate, and hair

Abstract

Titf2/foxe1 is a forkhead domain‐containing gene expressed in the foregut, in the thyroid, and in the cranial ectoderm of the developing mouse. Titf2 null mice exhibit cleft palate and either a sublingual or completely absent thyroid gland. In humans, mutations of the gene encoding for thyroid transcription factor‐2 (TTF‐2) result in the Bamforth syndrome, characterized by thyroid agenesis, cleft palate, spiky hair, and choanal atresia. Here, we report a detailed expression pattern of TTF‐2 protein during mouse embryogenesis and show its presence in structures where it has not been described yet. At embryonic day (E) 10.5, TTF‐2 is expressed in Rathke's pouch, in thyroid, and in the epithelium of the pharyngeal wall and arches, whereas it is absent in the epithelium of the pharyngeal pouches. According to this expression, at E13.5, TTF‐2 is present in endoderm derivatives, such as tongue, palate, epiglottis, pharynx, and oesophagus. Later in embryogenesis, we detect TTF‐2 in the choanae and whiskers. This pattern of expression helps to define the complex phenotype displayed by human patients. Finally, we show that TTF‐2 is a phosphorylated protein. These results help to characterize the domains of TTF‐2 expression, from early embryogenesis throughout organogenesis, providing more detail on the potential role of TTF‐2 in the development of endoderm and ectoderm derived structures.