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Determination

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Stem cell-like Xenopus Embryonic Explants to Study Early Neural Developmental Features In Vitro and In Vivo

Stem cell-like Xenopus Embryonic Explants to Study Early Neural Developmental Features In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 2, 2016

GDNF expression during Xenopus development.

Jun-ichi Kyuno¹, Elizabeth A Jones

¹Molecular Physiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Warwick University, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.

Gene Expression Patterns : GEP

|October 20, 2006

Summary

Xenopus laevis Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was cloned and characterized. Its expression pattern suggests a conserved role in embryonic development, particularly in kidney and nervous system formation.

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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Stem cell-like Xenopus Embryonic Explants to Study Early Neural Developmental Features In Vitro and In Vivo

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Published on: February 2, 2016

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Published on: April 12, 2016

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Published on: December 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology
Xenopus laevis Research

Background:

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is crucial for kidney morphogenesis, spermatogenesis, and neurogenesis.
Understanding GDNF's role in amphibian development provides insights into conserved biological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To clone and analyze the expression pattern of Xenopus laevis GDNF.
To determine if the identified X. laevis gene is the orthologue for GDNF.

Main Methods:

Cloning of Xenopus laevis GDNF cDNA.
Sequence comparison with other species' GDNF.
Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for temporal expression analysis.
Whole-mount in situ hybridization for spatial expression analysis.

Main Results:

Xenopus laevis GDNF cDNA encodes a 227-amino acid protein with conserved functional motifs.
Sequence identity with other species ranges from 52% to 75% for mature forms.
GDNF transcripts are detectable from stage 12, with significant increase from stage 24.
Spatial expression is observed in somites, pronephros, pharyngeal arches, digestive tract, and lateral line structures.

Conclusions:

The cloned Xenopus laevis GDNF gene is likely the orthologue of GDNF.
Its expression pattern suggests conserved roles in embryonic development, particularly in kidney and nervous system formation.