Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Xenbase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
XB-ART-61574
PLoS Biol 2025 Nov 04;2311:e3003476. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003476.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Foxi2 and Sox3 are master transcription regulators that control ectoderm germ layer specification in Xenopus.

Hendrickson CL , Blitz IL , Hussein A , Paraiso KD , Cho JS , Klymkowsky MW , Kofron MJ , Cho KWY .


???displayArticle.abstract???
Germ layer specification represents a critical transition where pluripotent cells acquire lineage-specific identities. We identify the maternal transcription factors Foxi2 and Sox3 to be pivotal master regulators of ectodermal germ layer specification in Xenopus. Ectopic co-expression of Foxi2 and Sox3 in prospective endodermal tissue induces the expression of ectodermal markers while suppressing mesendodermal markers. Transcriptomics analyses reveal that Foxi2 and Sox3 jointly and independently regulate hundreds of ectodermal target genes. During early cleavage stages, Foxi2 and Sox3 pre-bind to key cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), marking sites that later recruit Ep300 and facilitate H3K27ac deposition, thereby shaping the epigenetic landscape of the ectodermal genome. These CRMs are highly enriched within ectoderm-specific super-enhancers (SEs). Our findings highlight the pivotal role of ectodermal SE-associated CRMs in precise and robust ectodermal gene activation, establishing Foxi2 and Sox3 as central architects of ectodermal lineage specification.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 41187170
???displayArticle.link??? PLoS Biol