Joint development in Xenopus laevis and induction of segmentations in regenerating froglet limb (spike).
In Xenopus laevis, amputation of the adult limb results in the formation of a simple (hypomorphic) spike-like structure without joints, although tadpole limb bud regenerates complete limb pattern. The expression of some joint marker genes was examined in limb development and regeneration. Bmp-4 and gdf-5 were expressed and sox-9 expression was decreased in the joint region. Although developing cartilages were well-organized and had bmp-4 expressing perichondrocytes, the spike cartilage did not have such a structure, but only showed sparse bmp-4 expression. Application of BMP4-soaked beads to the spike led to the induction of a joint-like structure. These results suggest that the lack of joints in the spike is due to the deficiency of the accumulation of the cells that express bmp-4. Improvement of regeneration in the Xenopus adult limb that we report here for the first time will give us important insights into epimorphic regeneration.
Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Akira
A
Satoh
Makoto
M
Suzuki
Takanori
T
Amano
Koji
K
Tamura
Hiroyuki
H
Ide
D000818:Animals; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology; D005121:Extremities / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D015335:Molecular Probes; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014227:Triazines; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D015335:Molecular Probes; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014227:Triazines; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C525812:bmp4 protein, Xenopus; C012842:Cibacron Blue F 3GA