The TGF-beta family member derrière is involved in regulation of the establishment of left-right asymmetry.
Although a number of genes that are involved in the establishment of left-right asymmetry have been identified, earlier events in the molecular pathway developing left-right asymmetry remain to be elucidated. Here we present evidence suggesting that the transforming growth factor-beta family member derrière is involved in the development of left-right asymmetry in Xenopus embryos. Ectopic expression of derrière on the right side can fully invert cardiac and visceral left-right orientation and nodal expression, and expression of a dominant-negative form of derrière on the left side can partially randomize the left-right orientation and nodal expression. Moreover, while expression of the dominant-negative derrière does not inhibit the activity of Vg1 directly, it can rescue the altered left-right orientation induced by Vg1. Vg1 can induce derrière in animal cap explants. These results suggest that derrière is involved in earlier molecular pathways developing the left-right asymmetry.
Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Japan.
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H
Hanafusa
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Masuyama
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Kusakabe
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Shibuya
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Nishida
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008845:Microinjections; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014781:Viscera / Q000196:embryology; D014981:Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
C513103:GDF1 protein, Xenopus; C118849:GDF3 protein, Xenopus; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C512832:ndr2 protein, zebrafish; C512833:nodal1 protein, Xenopus