title: Xnr4: a Xenopus nodal-related gene expressed in the Spemann organizer.
abstract: We have isolated a novel TGF beta-like gene from Xenopus which is highly related to mouse nodal The gene, Xnr4, is expressed at the gastrula stage in the Spemann organizer and at later stages in the notochord and neural tube. Ectopic expression of Xnr4 can induce and dorsalize mesoderm. These studies suggest that Xnr4, along with other nodal-related genes (Xnr1-3), may participate in mesodermal patterning and possibly neural development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Melton
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D004627:Embryonic Induction; D005775:Gastrula / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology*; D008845:Microinjections; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D055457:Nodal Protein; D009865:Oocytes; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology*; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D016373:DNA, Antisense; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C105817:NODAL protein, Xenopus; D055457:Nodal Protein; C526008:Nodal protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C100866:cer1 protein, Xenopus