Transcription factor AP-2 is an essential and direct regulator of epidermal development in Xenopus.
Expression of the Xenopus homolog of the mammalian transcription factor AP-2alpha (XAP-2) is activated throughout the animal hemisphere shortly after the midblastula transition, and becomes restricted to prospective epidermis by the end of gastrulation, under the control of BMP signal modulation. Elevated expression in the future neural crest region begins at this time. Ectopic expression of XAP-2 can restore transcription of epidermal genes in neuralized ectoderm, both in ectodermal explants and in the intact embryo. Likewise, loss of XAP-2 function, accomplished by injection of antisense oligonucleotides or by overexpression of antimorphic XAP-2 derivatives, leads to loss of epidermal and gain of neural gene expression. These treatments also result in gastrulation failure. Thus, AP-2 is a critical regulator of ectodermal determination that is required for normal epidermal development and morphogenesis in the frog embryo.
Luo
Ting
T
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Matsuo-Takasaki
Mami
M
Thomas
Megan L
ML
Weeks
Daniel L
DL
Sargent
Thomas D
TD
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology*; D005775:Gastrula; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology
D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C493675:tfap2a protein, Xenopus