Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
14:08
Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development
Published on: January 26, 2013
Xsox17alpha and -beta mediate endoderm formation in Xenopus
C Hudson1, D Clements, R V Friday
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
Cell
|November 18, 1997
Summary
Two Xenopus Sox17 genes, Xsox17alpha and Xsox17beta, are crucial for endoderm development. They mediate activin-induced endoderm differentiation in early Xenopus embryos, playing a key role in normal endoderm formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sox17 proteins are transcription factors involved in endoderm development in mice.
- Understanding the role of Sox17 homologs in other species can elucidate conserved developmental pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize Xenopus homologs of murine Sox17.
- To investigate the role of these Xenopus Sox17 genes (Xsox17alpha and Xsox17beta) in endoderm differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Xenopus Sox17alpha and -beta genes.
- Activin and FGF induction experiments in Xenopus animal caps.
- Ectopic gene expression studies using mRNA injection.
- Overexpression of a dominant-negative Xsox17beta construct.
- Analysis of endoderm marker gene expression.
Main Results:
- Xsox17alpha and Xsox17beta are expressed in gastrula presumptive endoderm.
- Activin induces Xsox17 expression in animal caps, but FGF does not.
- Ectopic Xsox17 expression induces endoderm markers, which is blocked by a dominant-negative construct.
- The dominant-negative construct also blocks activin-induced endoderm formation.
Conclusions:
- Xenopus Sox17 genes mediate an activin-induced endoderm differentiation pathway.
- These genes are essential for normal endoderm differentiation in Xenopus embryos.
