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Activin signalling and response to a morphogen gradient

J B Gurdon1, P Harger, A Mitchell

  • 1Wellcome CRC Institute, Cambridge, UK.

Nature
|October 6, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Cellular gene expression in amphibian embryos is controlled by distance from activin, a peptide growth factor. This long-range signal spreads via diffusion, supporting the morphogen gradient theory in vertebrate development.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Cell differentiation relies on external signals.
  • Peptide growth factors play crucial roles in embryonic development.
  • Activin is known to induce mesoderm formation in amphibian embryos.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of gene expression determination in amphibian embryos.
  • To determine the range and mode of action of activin signaling.
  • To provide evidence for the morphogen concentration gradient theory.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing combinations of amphibian embryo tissues.
  • Analyzing gene expression patterns in response to varying distances from activin sources.
  • Observing signal propagation and its dependence on cell activity.

Main Results:

  • Cellular gene expression is directly correlated with proximity to activin.
  • Activin acts as a long-range signal, spreading over at least 10 cell diameters within hours.
  • The signal propagates via passive diffusion, independent of recipient cell protein synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Activin concentration gradients dictate cellular gene expression and developmental fate.
  • This study provides direct experimental support for the morphogen gradient model in vertebrate embryogenesis.
  • The findings elucidate a fundamental mechanism of pattern formation during development.

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