N-Cadherin, a cell adhesion molecule involved in establishment of embryonic left-right asymmetry.
Within the bilaterally symmetric vertebrate body plan, many organs develop asymmetrically. Here, it is demonstrated that a cell adhesion molecule, N-cadherin, is one of the earliest proteins to be asymmetrically expressed in the chicken embryo and that its activity is required during gastrulation for proper establishment of the left-right axis. Blocking N-cadherin function randomizes heart looping and alters the expression of Snail and Pitx2, later components of the molecular cascade that regulate left-right asymmetry. However, the expression of other components of this cascade (Nodal and Lefty) was unchanged after blocking N-cadherin function, suggesting the existence of parallel pathways in the establishment of left-right morphogenesis. Here, the results suggest that N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion events are required for establishment of left-right asymmetry.
García-Castro
M I
MI
Division of Biology 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. mig1000@caltech.edu
Vielmetter
E
E
Bronner-Fraser
M
M
D030301:Activin Receptors, Type II; D028341:Activins; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D019521:Body Patterning; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005775:Gastrula / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007265:Inhibins / Q000502:physiology; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D055457:Nodal Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2
D030301:Activin Receptors, Type II; D028341:Activins; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015820:Cadherins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007265:Inhibins; D055458:Left-Right Determination Factors; D055457:Nodal Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D011506:Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2; C101485:homeobox protein PITX1; C433629:homeobox protein PITX3