title: Expression analysis of epb41l4a during Xenopus laevis embryogenesis.
abstract: Epbl41l4a (erythrocyte protein band 4.1-like 4a, also named Nbl4) is a member of the band 4.1/Nbl4 (novel band 4.1-like protein 4) group of the FERM (4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin) protein superfamily. Proteins encoded by this gene family are involved in many cellular processes such as organization of epithelial cells and signal transduction. On a molecular level, band 4.1/Nbl4 proteins have been shown to link membrane-associated proteins and lipids to the actin cytoskeleton. Epbl41l4a has also recently been identified as a target gene of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we describe for the first time the spatio-temporal expression of epbl41l4a using Xenopus laevis as a model system. We observed a strong and specific expression of epb41l4a in the developing somites, in particular during segmentation as well as in the nasal and cranial placodes, pronephros, and neural tube. Thus, epbl41l4a is expressed in tissues undergoing morphogenetic movements, suggesting a functional role of epbl41l4a during these processes.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Yanchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Kathleen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Christine
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gessert
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kühl
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D019170:Somites / Q000196:embryology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C560869:Epb41l4a protein, Xenopus; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C112128:epb41l4a protein, zebrafish