The vHNF1 homeodomain protein establishes early rhombomere identity by direct regulation of Kreisler expression.

The early transcriptional hierarchy that subdivides the vertebrate hindbrain into seven to eight segments, the rhombomeres (r1-r8), is largely unknown. The Kreisler (MafB, Krml1, Val) gene is earliest gene expressed in an r5/r6-restricted manner and is essential for r5 and r6 development. We have identified the S5 regulatory element that directs early Kreisler expression in the future r5/r6 domain in 0-10 somite stage embryos.

Analysis of hindbrain patterning defects caused by the kreisler(enu) mutation reveals multiple roles of Kreisler in hindbrain segmentation.

The embryonic hindbrain is subdivided into eight subunits, termed rhombomeres (r1-r8). The Kreisler (Krml1/MafB/val) transcription factor is expressed in and essential for patterning rhombomeres 5 and 6. Here, we have shown that in the chemically induced kreisler(enu) (kr(enu)) allele, a point mutation in the DNA binding domain abolishes or severely reduces Kreisler-dependent transcription.

The mouse Kreisler (Krml1/MafB) segmentation gene is required for differentiation of glomerular visceral epithelial cells.

Molecular components of the glomerular filtration mechanism play critical roles in renal diseases. Many of these components are produced during the final stages of differentiation of glomerular visceral epithelial cells, also known as podocytes. While basic domain leucine zipper (bZip) transcription factors of the Maf subfamily have been implicated in cellular differentiation processes, Kreisler (Krml1/MafB), the gene affected in the mouse kreisler (kr) mutation, is known for its role in hindbrain patterning.