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eFGF regulates Xbra expression during Xenopus gastrulation
H V Isaacs1, M E Pownall, J M Slack
1Imperial Cancer Research Fund Developmental Biology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK.
The EMBO Journal
|October 3, 1994
Summary
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for mesoderm development in Xenopus laevis. FGF signaling maintains mesodermal properties and regulates Xbra expression during gastrulation, influencing cell behavior.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Embryology
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is known to induce mesoderm during early Xenopus development.
- Extracellular FGF (eFGF) is maternally expressed and highly abundant in the mesoderm during gastrulation, suggesting a post-induction role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FGF signaling in maintaining mesodermal properties during Xenopus gastrulation.
- To elucidate the relationship between eFGF and the transcription factor Xbra in regulating mesodermal development.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression of a dominant-negative FGF receptor in Xenopus embryos.
- Analysis of mesodermal cell behavior and gene expression (Xbra).
- Investigation of eFGF and Xbra cross-activation in isolated mesoderm cells.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of FGF signaling disrupts dorsal mesoderm migration and reduces Xbra expression.
- eFGF and Xbra form an auto-regulatory loop, with eFGF maintaining Xbra expression in gastrula mesoderm.
- eFGF overexpression leads to altered anteroposterior patterning, contrasting with FGF receptor inhibition phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- FGF signaling, particularly eFGF, plays a vital role in maintaining mesodermal cell properties and regulating Xbra expression during Xenopus gastrulation.
- The eFGF-Xbra regulatory pathway is critical for controlling mesodermal cell behavior and axial patterning.