Kristina Vaupel

Publications (4)14.69 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Simone Kurt

  Article: AP-2δ is a crucial transcriptional regulator of the posterior midbrain.

  Katrin Hesse, Kristina Vaupel, Simone Kurt, Reinhard Buettner, Jutta Kirfel, Markus Moser
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  ABSTRACT: Ap-2 transcription factors comprise a family of 5 closely related sequence-specific DNA binding proteins that play pivotal and non-redundant roles in embryonic organogenesis. To investigate the function of Ap-2δ, wδe analyzed its expression during embryogenesis and generated Ap-2δ-deficient mice. In line with the specific expression pattern of Ap-2δ in the mesencephalic tectum and the dorsal midbrain, Ap-2δ-deficient mice failed to maintain the colliculus inferior, a derivative of the dorsal midbrain, as a consequence of increased apoptotic cell death. To identify specific Ap-2δ target genes in cells of the developing dorsal midbrain, we performed whole genome analysis of cDNA expression levels. This approach identified a set of 12 putative target genes being expressed in the developing midbrain, including the transcription factors Pitx2, Mef2c, Bhlhb4 and Pou4f3. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) we showed that some of these genes are direct targets of Ap-2δ. Consistently, we demonstrate that Ap-2δ occupies and activates the Pou4f3 and Bhlhb4 promoters. In addition, known Pou4f3 target genes were downregulated in the posterior midbrain of Ap-2δ-deficient mice. Despite the absence of a central part of the auditory pathway, the presence of neuronal responses to sounds in the neocortex of Ap-2δ-deficient mice indicates that auditory information from the brainstem still reaches the neocortex. In summary, our data define Ap-2δ as an important transcription factor, specifying gene expression patterns required for the development of the posterior midbrain.
  PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(8):e23483. · 4.09 Impact Factor
• Article: Identification and embryonic expression of a new AP-2 transcription factor, AP-2 epsilon.

  Hao-Ven Wang, Kristina Vaupel, Reinhard Buettner, Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff, Markus Moser
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  ABSTRACT: AP-2 proteins comprise a family of highly related transcription factors, which are expressed during mouse embryogenesis in a variety of ectodermal, neuroectodermal, and mesenchymal tissues. AP-2 transcription factors were shown to be involved in morphogenesis of craniofacial, urogenital, neural crest-derived, and placental tissues. By means of a partial cDNA fragment identified during an expressed sequence tag search for AP-2 genes, we identified a fifth, previously unknown AP-2-related gene, AP-2 epsilon. AP-2 epsilon encodes an open reading frame of 434 amino acids, which reveals the typical modular structure of AP-2 transcription factors with highly conserved C-terminal DNA binding and dimerization domains. Although the N-terminally localized activation domain is less homologous, position and identity of amino acids essential for transcriptional transactivation are conserved. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses of murine embryos revealed AP-2 epsilon expression from gestational stage embryonic day 7.5 throughout all later embryonic stages until birth. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using a specific AP-2 epsilon cDNA fragment demonstrated that during embryogenesis, expression of AP-2 epsilon is mainly restricted to neural tissue, especially the midbrain, hindbrain, and olfactory bulb. This expression pattern was confirmed by immunohistochemistry with an AP-2 epsilon-specific antiserum. By using this antiserum, we could further localize AP-2 epsilon expression in a hypothalamic nucleus and the neuroepithelium of the vomeronasal organ, suggesting an important function of AP-2 epsilon for the development of the olfactory system.
  Developmental Dynamics 10/2004; 231(1):128-35. · 2.54 Impact Factor
• Article: Identification and embryonic expression of a new AP‐2 transcription factor, AP‐2ϵ

  Hao-Ven Wang, Kristina Vaupel, Reinhard Buettner, Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff, Markus Moser
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  ABSTRACT: AP-2 proteins comprise a family of highly related transcription factors, which are expressed during mouse embryogenesis in a variety of ectodermal, neuroectodermal, and mesenchymal tissues. AP-2 transcription factors were shown to be involved in morphogenesis of craniofacial, urogenital, neural crest-derived, and placental tissues. By means of a partial cDNA fragment identified during an expressed sequence tag search for AP-2 genes, we identified a fifth, previously unknown AP-2–related gene, AP-2ϵ. AP-2ϵ encodes an open reading frame of 434 amino acids, which reveals the typical modular structure of AP-2 transcription factors with highly conserved C-terminal DNA binding and dimerization domains. Although the N-terminally localized activation domain is less homologous, position and identity of amino acids essential for transcriptional transactivation are conserved. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses of murine embryos revealed AP-2ϵ expression from gestational stage embryonic day 7.5 throughout all later embryonic stages until birth. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using a specific AP-2ϵ cDNA fragment demonstrated that during embryogenesis, expression of AP-2ϵ is mainly restricted to neural tissue, especially the midbrain, hindbrain, and olfactory bulb. This expression pattern was confirmed by immunohistochemistry with an AP-2ϵ–specific antiserum. By using this antiserum, we could further localize AP-2ϵ expression in a hypothalamic nucleus and the neuroepithelium of the vomeronasal organ, suggesting an important function of AP-2ϵ for the development of the olfactory system. Developmental Dynamics 231:128–135, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
  Developmental Dynamics 06/2004; 231(1):128 - 135. · 2.54 Impact Factor
• Article: Placental failure and impaired vasculogenesis result in embryonic lethality for neuropathy target esterase-deficient mice.

  Markus Moser, Yong Li, Kristina Vaupel, Doris Kretzschmar, Reinhart Kluge, Paul Glynn, Reinhard Buettner
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  ABSTRACT: Age-dependent neurodegeneration resulting from widespread apoptosis of neurons and glia characterize the Drosophila Swiss Cheese (SWS) mutant. Neuropathy target esterase (NTE), the vertebrate homologue of SWS, reacts with organophosphates which initiate a syndrome of axonal degeneration. NTE is expressed in neurons and a variety of nonneuronal cell types in adults and fetal mice. To investigate the physiological functions of NTE, we inactivated its gene by targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. Heterozygous NTE(+/-) mice displayed a 50% reduction in NTE activity but underwent normal organ development. Complete inactivation of the NTE gene resulted in embryonic lethality, which became evident after gastrulation at embryonic day 9 postcoitum (E9). As early as E7.5, mutant embryos revealed growth retardation which did not reflect impaired cell proliferation but rather resulted from failed placental development; as a consequence, massive apoptosis within the developing embryo preceded its resorption. Histological analysis indicated that NTE is essential for the formation of the labyrinth layer and survival and differentiation of secondary giant cells. Additionally, impairment of vasculogenesis in the yolk sacs and embryos of null mutant conceptuses suggested that NTE is also required for normal blood vessel development.
  Molecular and Cellular Biology 03/2004; 24(4):1667-79. · 5.53 Impact Factor