Abstract
A Xenopus gene whose expression can be activated by the organizer-specific homeobox genes goosecoid and Xnot2 was isolated by differential screening. The chordin gene encodes a novel protein of 941 amino acids that has a signal sequence and four Cys-rich domains. The expression of chordin starts in Spemann's organizer subsequent to that of goosecoid, and its induction by activin requires de novo protein synthesis. Microinjection of chordin mRNA induces twinned axes and can completely rescue axial development in ventralized embryos. This molecule is a potent dorsalizing factor that is expressed at the right time and in the right place to regulate cell-cell interactions in the organizing centers of head, trunk, and tail development.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Activins
-
Amino Acid Sequence
-
Animals
-
Carrier Proteins
-
Cell Differentiation
-
DNA, Complementary / genetics
-
DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
-
Embryonic Induction*
-
Gene Expression Regulation*
-
Genes, Homeobox*
-
Glycoproteins*
-
Goosecoid Protein
-
Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
-
Inhibins / metabolism
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
-
Mesoderm / physiology
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Notochord / embryology
-
Protein Biosynthesis
-
Proteins / genetics
-
Proteins / metabolism
-
Proteins / physiology*
-
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
-
Repressor Proteins*
-
Selection, Genetic
-
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
-
Tissue Distribution
-
Trans-Activators / metabolism
-
Transcription Factors*
-
Xenopus / embryology*
-
Xenopus Proteins*
-
Zygote
Substances
-
Carrier Proteins
-
DNA, Complementary
-
DNA-Binding Proteins
-
Glycoproteins
-
Goosecoid Protein
-
Homeodomain Proteins
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Not protein, Xenopus
-
Proteins
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Repressor Proteins
-
Trans-Activators
-
Transcription Factors
-
Xenopus Proteins
-
Activins
-
noggin protein
-
Inhibins
-
chordin