Identification of 2 novel genes developmentally regulated in the mouse aorta-gonad-mesonephros region

The first adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge in the mouse aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region at embryonic day 10.5 prior to their appearance in the yolk sac and fetal liver. Although several genes are implicated in the regulation of HSCs, there are gaps in our understanding of the processes taking place in the AGM at the time of HSC emergence. To identify genes involved in AGM HSC emergence, we performed differential display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (DD RT-PCR). Differentially expressed genes included beta-catenin, and homologs of human TM9SF2 and TAB2. We characterized the expression pattern of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, mTM9SF2, and mTAB2 in the embryo and adult. Interestingly, the expression of mouse TAB2 (mTAB2) in the E11 dorsal aorta endothelium suggests a role for mTAB2 in HSC emergence and/or regulation. The identification of differentially expressed genes in the AGM region should yield further insights into the development of this tissue and into the emergence and regulation of HSCs.