Ectopic mesoderm formation in Xenopus embryos caused by widespread expression of a Brachyury homologue
Article Abstract:
The Xenopus homologue (Xbra) of the Brachyury or T gene can induce embryonic cells to form into mesodermal tissues through gene expression. The role of Brachyury and Xbra in creating murine mesoderm indicates that these genes have a common purpose in vertebrate embryogenesis. New research in which Xbra's expression was broadened by microinjection of its transcripts into the animal pole of Xenopus embryos at the single-cell phase has demonstrated that Xbra sets mesodermal specification in motion by functioning as a genetic switch.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Mesoderm induction in Xenopus caused by activation of MAP kinase
Article Abstract:
A fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-like induction of ventral mesoderm is caused by the expression of active forms of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) or of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Mesoderm induction by FGF is blocked by Xenopus MAP kinase phosphate overexpression, leading to intact embryos with characteristic mesoderm formation defects. Contrarily, FGF mesoderm induction is unaffected by P13 and p70 S6 kinase pathway inhibition, indicating that MAP kinase is sufficient and essential for mesoderm formation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Rescue of early embryonic lethality in mdm2-deficient mice by deletion of p53
Article Abstract:
The loss of the mdm2 gene leads to early embryonic lethality in mice. A decrease of the transcriptional activator of the p53 gene suppresses the embryonic lethality of mdm2 null phenotype mutant mice. The mdm2 gene product MDM2 reduces the p53 activity in vivo. The homologous recombination produces an mdm2 null allele which is used for the study. The deletion of mdm2 does not restrict the p53 activity. This causes the mdm2 null embryos to die via growth arrest or apoptosis.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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