Fig. 3: Dynamic gene expression of the epithelial–hepatic transition (EHT) during liver specification.

a Heatmap of differentially expressed genes of the gut tube, liver primordium, liver bud, and E11.5 hepatoblasts. Six groups of differentially expressed genes were identified to be switched on or off, including three liver gene groups: L1, L2, and L3, and three gut tube gene groups: G1, G2, and G3. GT gut tube, LP liver primordium, LB liver bud, E11.5 Hep hepatoblasts at E11.5. b The gene expression levels of six gene groups (L1, L2, L3, G1, G2, G3) were identified, followed by the development axis GT–LP–LB–Liver. c Gene ontology of the gene groups L1, L2, L3 were identified (P < 0.01). d Transcription factors that differentially expressed between the gut tube and liver primordium were identified, including some new transcription factors such as Lzts1, Hlf, Trim25, Myc, Asb4, Ccnd1, and Cited1. e Immunofluorescence showing the expression of LZTS1 in hepatoblasts at E11.5 and E15.5, respectively. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar, 10 µm. f RXR motif was identified in the genes highly expressed in liver primordium. The 49 targets of RXR motif were shown. g The LXR/RXR signaling pathway was significantly upregulated in the liver primordium compared with the gut tube and formed a positive-feedback loop.