title: Valproate enhances N-cadherin production in Xenopus embryos.
abstract: Xenopus embryos were exposed to valproate (0, 20, 40, 80 mg/l) either before or after neural tube closure. The embryos were then homogenized and fractionated by gel electrophoresis, and N-cadherin was detected and measured with quantitative immunoblotting. Findings indicated that valproate exposure increased N-cadherin production in a dose-dependent manner. Embryos exposed prior to neural tube closure tended to be more sensitive to the effects of valproate. These findings suggest that alterations in N-cadherin-mediated adhesion or morphogenesis may partially explain the teratogenic mechanism of valproate.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, NE 68849, USA. brinerw@unk.edu
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Briner
authors: F C
authors: FC
authors: Papadopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015820:Cadherins; D014635:Valproic Acid