Cerberus is a head-inducing secreted factor expressed in the anterior endoderm of Spemann's organizer
Article Abstract:
An abundant cDNA enriched in Spemann's organizer, cerberus, and isolated by differential screening encodes a secreted protein that is expressed in a broad anterior domain of the gastrula. This domain includes the leading edge of the involuting endoderm and gives rise to foregut, liver and anterior midgut. Microinjection of cerberus mRNA into Xenopus embryos creates ectopic heads, and duplicated hearts and livers. These results support the role of a molecule expressed in the anterior endoderm in the creation of head structures in the vertebrate embryo.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Regulation of neural induction by the Chd and bmp-4 antagonistic patterning signals in Xenopus
Article Abstract:
An organizer-specific secreted factor, Chd, with two proteins, noggin and follistatin, secreted by the organizer, is involved in neural tissue induction and Chd is antagonized by bone morphogenesis protein-4 (bmp-4). Inhibition of bmp-4 present in the animal cap is responsible for neural differentiation. In Drosophila, the amount of neurogenic ectoderm from which the central nervous system is formed depends on the action of two molecules with antagonistic functions, decapentaplegic and short-gastrulation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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A blank canvas no more
Article Abstract:
A protein factor that turns out to have a fundamental role in allowing adult cells to proliferate is identified that would help to determine which cells become ectoderm. Mesoderm-inducing factors in tissues adjacent to, or within, the future ectoderm region of a Xenopus embryo is detected.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
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