title: FGF signaling establishes the anterior border of the Ciona neural tube.
abstract: The Ciona tadpole is constructed from simple, well-defined cell lineages governed by provisional gene networks that have been defined via extensive gene disruption assays. Here, we examine the patterning of the anterior neural plate, which produces placodal derivatives such as the adhesive palps and stomodeum, as well as the sensory vesicle (simple brain) of the Ciona tadpole. Evidence is presented that the doublesex-related gene DMRT is expressed throughout the anterior neural plate of neurulating embryos. It leads to the activation of FoxC and ZicL in the palp placode and anterior neural tube, respectively. This differential expression depends on FGF signaling, which inhibits FoxC expression in the anterior neural tube. Inhibition of FGF signaling leads to expanded expression of FoxC, the loss of ZicL, and truncation of the anterior neural tube.
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrative Genomics, Division of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. wagnerem@berkeley.edu
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000254:growth & development*; D018274:Electroporation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D054259:Neural Tube / Q000254:growth & development*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors