Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Polarized Translocation of Fluorescent Proteins in Xenopus Ectoderm in Response to Wnt Signaling
06:55

Polarized Translocation of Fluorescent Proteins in Xenopus Ectoderm in Response to Wnt Signaling

Published on: May 26, 2011

Regulation of early Xenopus development by ErbB signaling

Shuyi Nie1, Chenbei Chang

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.

Developmental Dynamics : an Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists
|November 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways regulate cell proliferation and embryonic development. In frogs, ErbB signaling is crucial for cell division, embryonic axis formation, and cell movement during early development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • ErbB signaling is vital in cancer, regulating cell division, migration, and death.
  • Its role in early vertebrate embryogenesis remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functions of ErbB signaling during early frog (Xenopus) development.
  • To characterize ErbB activities in cell proliferation, movement, and embryonic patterning.

Main Methods:

  • Gain-of-function analyses using EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB4.
  • Loss-of-function studies with dominant-negative ErbB receptors.
  • Analysis of cell proliferation, marker expression, and embryonic morphology.

Main Results:

  • EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB4 activation induced tumor-like cell masses with increased mitotic activity and expression of muscle, neural, and mesodermal markers.
  • Blocking ErbB signaling disrupted gastrulation, malformed the embryonic axis, and reduced head structure development.

Conclusions:

  • ErbB signaling is essential for regulating cell proliferation, cell movements, and embryonic patterning in early Xenopus development.
  • These findings highlight the conserved role of ErbB pathways in both tumorigenesis and embryonic development.

More Related Videos

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development14:08

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Published on: January 26, 2013

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development09:32

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Published on: June 15, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Determination01:51

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.