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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:10
Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients
Published on: December 14, 2015
Intercellular signalling in mesoderm formation during amphibian development
J C Smith1, V Cunliffe, J B Green
1Laboratory of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, U.K.
Summary
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and activin signal different mesodermal cell types in amphibian embryos. Graded factor distributions can establish positional information for body plan development in Xenopus.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryology
- Molecular signaling
Background:
- Mesoderm formation in amphibian embryos is initiated by signals from the vegetal hemisphere.
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and activin are key candidate endogenous mesoderm-inducing signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FGF and activin concentrations in mesodermal cell fate determination.
- To explore the potential of graded factor distributions in establishing embryonic positional information.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of amphibian embryonic cells to varying concentrations of FGF and activin.
- Analysis of mesodermal cell type formation in response to different signaling levels.
Main Results:
- Different concentrations of FGF and activin induce distinct mesodermal cell types.
- Demonstrated that graded distributions of these factors can provide positional cues.
Conclusions:
- Activin and FGF play crucial roles in mesoderm induction and patterning.
- Concentration-dependent signaling by FGF and activin is a viable mechanism for generating the Xenopus body plan.
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