Single cell RNA-seq study of wild type and Hox mutant developing uterus

This study identifies a novel role for the Hoxc9,10,11 genes in uterine gland formation. This function is redundant with the Hoxa9,10,11 and Hoxd9,10,11 genes and is only seen in a sensitized genotype with reduced expression of these paralogs. We further used scRNA-seq to define the gene expression patterns of the multiple cell types of the developing uterus. The results define the gene expression patterns driving lineage specific development. In addition scRNA-seq was used to characterize the perturbed gene expression levels of all developing uterus cell types in the ACD+/- and ACD+/-WTA11 mutants. Particularly striking was the reduced Wnt signaling and the disruption of the Cxcl12/Cxcr4 axis in the mutants. Overall design: Using droplet RNA sequencing, transcriptomes of single cells from wild-type and Hox mutant mouse uteri were analyzed