The retinoid X receptor ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid, is a potential regulator of early Xenopus development.
Endogenous retinoids are potential regulators of vertebrate embryogenesis that have been implicated in early anterior-posterior patterning and limb-bud development. We have characterized the temporal and spatial distribution of 9-cis-retinoic acid in the Xenopus embryo and compared it to two other retinoids, all-trans-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinoyl-beta-glucuronide. 9-cis-Retinoic acid is first detected after the midblastula transition and by the end of gastrulation is localized primarily within the anterior and posterior dorsal regions of the embryo. Since 9-cis-retinoic acid is a 6-fold more potent dysmorphogen than trans-retinoic acid, we suggest that it is involved in the early specification of the Xenopus anterior-posterior axis.
Kraft
J C
JC
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Schuh
T
T
Juchau
M
M
Kimelman
D
D
D000818:Animals; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology*
D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014212:Tretinoin