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FGF-mediated mesoderm induction involves the Src-family kinase Laloo
D C Weinstein1, J Marden, F Carnevali
1Department of Molecular Vertebrate Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Nature
|September 11, 1998
Summary
Scientists discovered a new Src-related kinase, laloo, crucial for mesoderm induction during Xenopus embryogenesis. Laloo
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Embryonic development relies on inductive signals to establish the body plan.
- In Xenopus laevis, mesoderm induction is mediated by factors from the vegetal pole, involving TGF-beta and FGF signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel participants in the signal transduction cascade of mesoderm induction.
- To investigate the role of a Src-related gene family member in vertebrate embryogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression of laloo in Xenopus embryos.
- Analysis of mesoderm induction in Xenopus ectodermal explants.
- Utilizing dominant-inhibitory mutants to block signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of laloo led to ectopic posterior structures, including axial tissue.
- Laloo induced mesoderm in ectodermal explants, a process inhibited by disrupting FGF signaling.
- A dominant-inhibitory Laloo mutant blocked FGF-induced mesoderm induction and caused posterior truncations.
Conclusions:
- Laloo is a novel Src-related kinase involved in vertebrate mesoderm induction.
- This study provides the first evidence linking Src-related kinases to mesoderm induction during vertebrate development.