The Xenopus dorsalizing factor noggin ventralizes Drosophila embryos by preventing DPP from activating its receptor
Article Abstract:
The molecular conservation of dorsoventral patterning mechanisms during evolution was used to investigate the function of the noggin gene. Noggin was found to promote ventral development in Drosophila, with ventral ectoderm and the central nervous system being specified in the absence of all endogenous ventral-specific zygotic gene expression. Constitutively active forms of dpp receptors were used to show that noggin blocks dpp signaling upstream of dpp receptor activation. Results suggest a mechanistic basis for the action of Spemann's organizer during Xenopus development and provide additional support for the conservation of dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms between chordates and arthropods.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1996
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Frzb-1 is a secreted antagonist of Wnt signaling expressed in the Spemann organizer
Article Abstract:
Molecular biological techniques were employed to characterize Frzb, a newly described soluble protein containing an amino-terminal Frizzled motif. It was shown to be expressed in the Spemann organizer during early gastrulation in Xenopus embryos. The results of functional assays revealed that Frzb antagonizes Xwnt-8, a proposed ventralizing factor. Such antagonizing action leads to the prevention of inappropriate ventral signaling in developing dorsal tissues. Frzb was also found to block the induction of MyoD.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1997
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The homeobox gene goosecoid controls cell migration in Xenopus embryos
Article Abstract:
The goosecoid (gsc) homeobox gene is one of a number of genes expressed in the blastopore lip, or organizer of amphibian embryos. Microinjection of gsc mRNA into Xenopus blastomeres resulted in recruitment of neighboring cells into the secondary body axes and differentiation into several dorsal tissue types. In addition, microinjected cells were induced to migrate in the anterior direction during gastrulation. These results demonstrate that a homoebox gene is capable of mediating cell migration.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1993
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