Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus
Published on: November 6, 2014
Rapamycin treatment causes developmental delay, pigmentation defects, and gastrointestinal malformation on Xenopus
Yuki Moriyama1, Yoshihisa Ohata, Shoko Mori
1Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
Abstract:
Rapamycin is a drug working as an inhibitor of the TOR (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway and influences various life phenomena such as cell growth, proliferation, and life span extension in eukaryote. However, the extent to which rapamycin controls early developmental events of amphibians remains to be understood. Here we report an examination of rapamycin effects during Xenopus early development, followed by a confirmation of suppression of TOR downstream kinase S6K by rapamycin treatment. First, we found that developmental speed was declined in dose-dependent manner of rapamycin. Second, black pigment spots located at dorsal and lateral skin in tadpoles were reduced by rapamycin treatment. Moreover, in tadpole stages severe gastrointestinal malformations were observed in rapamycin-treated embryos. Taken together with these results, we conclude that treatment of the drug rapamycin causes enormous influences on early developmental period.
Insights
Rapamycin drug treatment significantly slows Xenopus development, reduces pigment spots, and causes severe gastrointestinal malformations in tadpoles, highlighting its impact on early amphibian development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Rapamycin inhibits the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway, affecting cell growth and lifespan in eukaryotes.
- The precise effects of rapamycin on early amphibian development are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of rapamycin on early developmental events in Xenopus.
- To confirm the suppression of the TOR downstream kinase S6K by rapamycin.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of Xenopus embryos with varying doses of rapamycin.
- Observation and documentation of developmental speed, pigment spot formation, and gastrointestinal development in tadpoles.
- Confirmation of TOR pathway inhibition via S6K phosphorylation status.
Main Results:
- Rapamycin treatment led to a dose-dependent decrease in developmental speed.
- A reduction in black pigment spots on the dorsal and lateral skin of tadpoles was observed.
- Severe gastrointestinal malformations were noted in rapamycin-exposed tadpole stages.
Conclusions:
- Rapamycin significantly influences early developmental periods in Xenopus.
- The TOR signaling pathway is crucial for normal amphibian development.
- Rapamycin's effects extend to pigment formation and organogenesis in developing amphibians.
