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Purification, partial characterization and biological effects of the XTC mesoderm-inducing factor
1Laboratory of Embryogenesis, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, UK.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers purified a mesoderm-inducing factor (MIF) from Xenopus XTC cells. This factor, XTC-MIF, is a protein that induces various cell types, including notochord and neural tissue, depending on concentration.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mesoderm formation in Xenopus laevis is a critical developmental process initiated by inductive signals from the vegetal hemisphere.
- The Xenopus XTC cell line secretes a mesoderm-inducing factor (MIF) that may mimic natural embryonic signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify and characterize the mesoderm-inducing factor (MIF) secreted by Xenopus XTC cells (XTC-MIF).
- To investigate the biological effects and dose-dependent responses of XTC-MIF on embryonic cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Purification of XTC-MIF from the Xenopus XTC cell line.
- Biochemical characterization of XTC-MIF, including determination of hydrophobicity, isoelectric point, and molecular mass.
- Assessment of biological activity using stage-8 animal pole explants of Xenopus embryos at varying concentrations of XTC-MIF.
Main Results:
- XTC-MIF was purified and identified as a hydrophobic protein (Mr 23,500) with an isoelectric point of 7.8.
- XTC-MIF lost activity upon reduction, dissociating into inactive subunits, similar to transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-beta).
- XTC-MIF induced mesenchyme and mesothelium at low concentrations (0.2-1.0 ng/ml), muscle at higher concentrations (up to 5 ng/ml), and notochord/neural tissue at concentrations above 5-10 ng/ml.
Conclusions:
- XTC-MIF shares biochemical properties with TGF-beta and exhibits potent mesoderm-inducing activity in Xenopus embryos.
- The graded biological response to XTC-MIF, including the induction of notochord and neural tissue, distinguishes it from heparin-binding growth factors.