A role for Zic1 and Zic2 in Myf5 regulation and somite myogenesis

► Zic 2 and then Zic1 are activated in the Myf5-expressing epaxial domain of newly forming somites. ► Zic2 and Myf5 require noggin for activation in somites. ► Zic2 is required for the timely activation of Myf5 in epaxial somites. ► Zic1 and Zic2 transactivate the Myf5 epaxial enhancer in 3T3 cell models. ► Zic1 and Zic2 are regulators of Myf5 activation and epaxial myogenesis in mouse somites.