title: xCOUP-TF-B regulates xCyp26 transcription and modulates retinoic acid signaling for anterior neural patterning in Xenopus.
abstract: Early embryogenesis in Xenopus development depends on correct anterior-posterior (A-P) neural patterning during gastrulation. It is known that high levels of retinoic acid (RA), a major intracellular signaling molecule, determine posterior cell fate, also reflecting an involvement in A-P neural patterning. Here we show that the known RA effector, xCOUP-TF, plays important roles in head development of Xenopus embryo. xCOUP-TF-B injection into the dorsal region of embryos induced formation of an abnormal head with small eyes. Analysis of brain marker gene expression revealed that xCOUP-TF-B injection induced slight anteriorization in embryos and attenuated the effects of RA treatment. This anteriorization effect was enhanced when xCOUP-TF-B was co-injected with xCyp26A or xCyp26C, which are known RA metabolizing factors. Furthermore, xCOUP-TF-B injection enhanced xCyp26A/C transcription. Together, these results suggest that xCOUP-TF and xCyp26 are both regulated by Wnt signaling, and cooperatively function in RA signaling to affect A-P neural patterning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Misaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanibe
authors.forename: Sho-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishiura
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asashima
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Michiue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D051837:COUP Transcription Factor II / Q000235:genetics*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D051837:COUP Transcription Factor II; D007527:Isoenzymes; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D014212:Tretinoin; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C534383:cytochrome P-450 26c protein, Xenopus