Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4), a member of the TGF-beta family, in early embryos of Xenopus laevis: analysis of mesoderm inducing activity.
We have screened a Xenopus ovary cDNA library using a synthetic oligonucleotide derived from that part of the inhibin beta A sequence, which is highly conserved within the TGF-beta family. Out of several clones yielding autoradiographic signals four turned out to represent Xenopus counterparts to the human bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4). Each two of the four sequences are nearly identical and probably account for different alleles whereas the two pairs showing 5% divergence may have arisen by genome duplication in this tetraploid species. The amino acid sequence of the Xenopus protein is 80% homologous to the human sequence showing no single exchange within the last 100 amino acids at the C-terminus. This region, which constitutes the main part of the mature, biologically active protein, also exhibits substantial homologies to other representatives of the TGF-beta family, especially to the Drosophila DPPC protein. Transfection of COS-1 cells with the Xenopus BMP-4 sequence under control of the CMV-promoter leads to the secretion of a protein which exhibits mesoderm inducing activity when tested with animal cap explants from Xenopus blastula stage embryos.
Köster
M
M
Department of Biochemistry, University of Ulm, F.R.G.
Plessow
S
S
Clement
J H
JH
Lorenz
A
A
Tiedemann
H
H
Knöchel
W
W
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D011506:Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004247:DNA