Region-specific neural induction of an engrailed protein by anterior notochord in Xenopus.
Anterior-specific neural induction can be assayed by means of an antibody that recognizes the Xenopus homeobox-containing protein En-2. The En-2 antigen is an excellent early marker, since it is present as a discrete band in the anterior neural plate of neurula embryos. Regional induction was assayed by combining dorsal mesoderm with competent ectoderm. Anterior notochord from the early neurula induced En-2 frequently, while posterior notochord induced En-2 less frequently. Presumptive somitic mesoderm and presumptive head mesoderm, though they induced neural tissue, were not strong inducers of En-2. Thus, anterior notochord may be the primary mesodermal tissue responsible for the patterning of the anterior neural plate.
Hemmati-Brivanlou
A
A
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Stewart
R M
RM
Harland
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D009672:Notochord / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics
D014157:Transcription Factors