DVR-4 (bone morphogenetic protein-4) as a posterior-ventralizing factor in Xenopus mesoderm induction.
Establishment of mesodermal tissues in the amphibian body involves a series of inductive interactions probably elicited by a variety of peptide growth factors. Results reported here suggest that mesodermal patterning involves an array of signalling molecules including DVR-4, a TGF-beta-like molecule. We show that ectopic expression of DVR-4 causes embryos to develop with an overall posterior and/or ventral character, and that DVR-4 induces ventral types of mesoderm in animal cap explants. Moreover, DVR-4 overrides the dorsalizing effects of activin. DVR-4 is therefore the first molecule reported both to induce posteroventral mesoderm and to counteract dorsalizing signals such as activin. Possible interactions between these molecules resulting in establishment of the embryonic body plan are discussed.
Jones
C M
CM
Department of Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville 37232.
Lyons
K M
KM
Lapan
P M
PM
Wright
C V
CV
Hogan
B L
BL
D028341:Activins; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004627:Embryonic Induction / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000502:physiology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D011506:Proteins; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins