Foxa2 is considered as marker for endoderm differentiation. However, there are reports that it is also expressed in mDA neurons development. But, in developmental biology, most our nervous system are derived from ectoderm.
So, I have questions if Foxa2 is suitable as marker for endoderm?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23637192
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21362573
Foxa2 is not only expressed in mDA neurons but in the floor and basal plate of the developing neural tube (ectoderm origin). So, Foxa2 is not exclusive of the endoderm. You can use it but always keep in mind this fact when you analyze yours results.
Foxa2 is not only expressed in mDA neurons but in the floor and basal plate of the developing neural tube (ectoderm origin). So, Foxa2 is not exclusive of the endoderm. You can use it but always keep in mind this fact when you analyze yours results.
FoxA2 is indeed not exclusive to endoderm derived tissues, that is why you should always corroborate the data with other definitive endoderm markers such as Sox17 and Eomesdermin. An even better test (at least using stem cell derived definitive endoderm) is differentiating these cells further to see if they adopt hepatocyte/pancreatic fates, which only derive from the anterior foregut. Also there are many types of endoderm (visceral, primitive etc) which share many markers of definitive endoderm so also bear this in mind.
FOXA2 is a good marker for endoderm but only when other endoderm markers are used too such as SOX17. Generally speaking this is true for any marker relating to any lineage. A really nice paper from our group dscribes different markers applicable to different types of endoderm. Hope this helps.
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