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Related Concept Videos

Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Determination01:51

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...

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Assessing Signaling Properties of Ectodermal Epithelia During Craniofacial Development
09:25

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Published on: March 24, 2011

Smad2 role in mesoderm formation, left-right patterning and craniofacial development

M Nomura1, E Li

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital East, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown 02129, USA.

Nature
|July 9, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Smad2 protein is essential for early mammalian development, regulating mesoderm formation and patterning. Gene dosage is critical, as Smad2 mutations cause severe gastrulation and craniofacial defects.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling relies on SMAD proteins activated by receptor kinases.
  • Smad2 mediates signaling for activin and TGF-beta, inducing dorsal mesoderm in Xenopus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of Smad2 in mammalian embryonic development.
  • To determine the role of Smad2 in mesoderm formation and patterning processes.

Main Methods:

  • Gene targeting in mice to create two independent Smad2 mutant alleles.
  • Analysis of homozygous and heterozygous Smad2 mutant embryos.
  • Generation and analysis of mice trans-heterozygous for Smad2 and nodal mutations.

Main Results:

  • Homozygous Smad2 mutant embryos lack mesoderm and fail to form organized egg cylinders.
  • Smad2 heterozygous embryos exhibit gastrulation defects, including missing mandibles or eyes, highlighting gene dosage sensitivity.
  • Trans-heterozygous Smad2 and nodal mutations cause gastrulation, craniofacial, and left-right patterning defects, suggesting Smad2 mediates nodal signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Smad2 function is indispensable for early mouse development, including mesoderm formation.
  • Smad2 plays a critical role in multiple embryonic patterning processes.
  • Smad2 is likely involved in mediating nodal signaling pathways crucial for development.