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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
06:51
Live-cell Imaging and Quantitative Analysis of Embryonic Epithelial Cells in Xenopus laevis
Published on: May 23, 2010
Cell adhesion glycoprotein vitronectin during Xenopus laevis embryogenesis
M E Luque1, M A Serrano, S M Honoré
1Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Departamento de Biología del Desarrollo, T4000ILI San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
Gene Expression Patterns : GEP
|March 23, 2010
Summary
This study cloned Xenopus laevis vitronectin (vn), revealing its expression during embryonic development. Vitronectin is developmentally regulated and may play a role in embryo organogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Comparative Genomics
Background:
- Vitronectin (vn) is a crucial cell-adhesive glycoprotein found in vertebrates.
- Understanding its role in embryonic development is essential for developmental biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone the cDNA of Xenopus laevis vitronectin.
- To investigate the spatial and temporal expression patterns of vitronectin during Xenopus embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- cDNA cloning of Xenopus laevis vitronectin.
- Analysis of deduced amino acid sequence identity with orthologs.
- Spatial and temporal expression analysis using transcript and protein detection.
Main Results:
- Xenopus laevis vn shares structural similarities with higher vertebrate vitronectins.
- Vitronectin transcripts are detected from stage 28 onwards.
- Vitronectin protein is found in the heart, liver, gut, pronephros, and notochord during tadpole stages.
Conclusions:
- Vitronectin expression is developmentally regulated in Xenopus.
- Vitronectin likely participates in the organogenesis of Xenopus embryos.
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