< i > Cdon < /i > mutation and fetal alcohol converge on Nodal signaling in a mouse model of holoprosencephaly

We report here that, unexpectedly, Nodal signaling is a major point of synergistic interaction betweenCdon mutation and fetal alcohol. Window-of-sensitivity, genetic, and in vitro findings are consistent with a model whereby brief exposure ofCdon mutant embryos to ethanol during gastrulation transiently and partially inhibits Nodal pathway activity, with consequent effects on midline patterning. These results illuminate mechanisms of gene-environment interaction in a multifactorial model of a common birth defect.
Source: eLife - Category: Biomedical Science Tags: Developmental Biology Genetics and Genomics Source Type: research