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Activin-like signaling activates Notch signaling during mesodermal induction.
Takanori Abe1, Miho Furue, Yasufumi Myoishi
1Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|August 10, 2004
Summary
Activin A signaling induces Notch signaling components like Delta-1, Delta-2, and Notch during early development. This reveals how activin-like signaling activates Notch signaling to differentiate cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Activin-like and Notch signaling are crucial for early embryonic development.
- Activin-like signaling drives mesodermal induction, while Notch signaling governs cell fate decisions.
- The interplay between these pathways remains largely undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between activin-like signaling and Notch signaling during early development.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which activin A influences Notch pathway components.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted using Xenopus animal caps (ectodermal explants) and in vivo studies.
- Gene expression analysis was performed to assess the induction of Delta-1, Delta-2, and Notch.
- The role of MyoD, a downstream target of activin A, in regulating Delta expression was examined.
Main Results:
- Activin A was found to induce the expression of Delta-1, Delta-2, and Notch in animal caps, activating Notch signaling.
- In vivo, ectopic activin-like signaling led to increased Delta-1 and Delta-2 expression, while inhibition suppressed it.
- MyoD induced Delta-1 but inhibited Delta-2 and had no effect on Notch expression, suggesting distinct induction cascades.
Conclusions:
- Activin A initiates distinct molecular cascades to induce Delta-1, Delta-2, and Notch.
- Notch signaling activation is a downstream consequence of activin-like signaling during the differentiation of homogenous cells into various tissues.