Repulsive guidance molecule A (RGM A) and its receptor neogenin during neural and neural crest cell development of Xenopus laevis.
BACKGROUND
RGM A (repulsive guidance molecule A) is a GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol)-anchored glycoprotein which has repulsive properties on axons due to the interaction with its receptor neogenin. In addition, RGM A has been demonstrated to function as a BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) co-receptor.


RESULTS
In the present study, we provide the first analysis of early RGM A and neogenin expression and function in Xenopus laevis neural development. Tissue-specific RGM A expression starts at stage 12.5 in the anterior neural plate. Loss-of-function analyses suggest a function of RGM A and neogenin in regulating anterior neural marker genes, as well as eye development and neural crest cell migration. Furthermore, overexpression of RGM A leads to ectopic expression of neural crest cell marker genes.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that RGM A and neogenin have important functions during early neural development, in addition to their role during axonal guidance and synapse formation.
Gessert
Susanne
S
Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany.
Maurus
Daniel
D
Kühl
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C091279:neogenin; C513829:rgma protein, Xenopus