Calponin modulates the exclusion of Otx-expressing cells from convergence extension movements.
Otx2, a vertebrate homologue of the Drosophila orthodenticle gene, coordinates two processes in early embryonic development. Not only does it specify cell fate in the anterior regions of the embryo, it also prevents the cells that express it from participating in the convergence extension movements that shape the rest of the body axis. Here we show that, in Xenopus, this latter function is mediated by XclpH3, transcription of which is directly stimulated by Xotx2. XclpH3 is a Xenopus homologue of the mammalian calponin gene, the product of which binds both actin and myosin and prevents the generation of contractile force by actin filaments.
Morgan
R
R
Hubrecht Laboratory, Netherlands Institute for Developmental Biology, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hooiveld
M H
MH
Pannese
M
M
Dati
G
G
Broders
F
F
Delarue
M
M
Thiery
J P
JP
Boncinelli
E
E
Durston
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008845:Microinjections; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D010641:Phenotype; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D000096985:Calponins
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D003513:Cycloheximide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D012313:RNA; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D000096985:Calponins; C497661:Otx2 protein, Xenopus