Abstract
Several bHLH proteins are involved in vertebrate neurogenesis, but those controlling early stages of neuronal determination have not yet been identified. Here we describe a novel, NeuroD-related bHLH protein, NEUROGENIN, whose expression precedes that of NeuroD in both mouse and Xenopus. Expression of Xenopus NEUROGENIN-related-1 (X-NGNR-1) defines the three prospective territories of primary neurogenesis. Overexpression of X-NGNR-1 (or NEUROGENIN) induces ectopic neurogenesis and ectopic expression of XNeuroD mRNA. Endogenous X-ngnr-1 expression becomes restricted to subsets of cells by lateral inhibition, mediated by X-Delta-1 and X-Notch. The properties of X-NGNR-1 are thus analogous to those of the Drosophila proneural genes, suggesting that it functions as a vertebrate neuronal determination factor.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Carrier Proteins
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Cloning, Molecular
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DNA, Complementary / genetics
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Ectoderm / chemistry
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Genes, Regulator / genetics
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Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Morphogenesis
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
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Nervous System / chemistry
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Nervous System / embryology*
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Neuropeptides / chemistry
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Neuropeptides / genetics*
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Proteins / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Receptor, Notch1
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Receptors, Cell Surface*
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Transcription Factors*
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Tubulin / genetics
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Xenopus / genetics
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Xenopus Proteins*
Substances
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Carrier Proteins
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DNA, Complementary
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Neuropeptides
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Notch1 protein, mouse
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Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptor, Notch1
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Transcription Factors
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Tubulin
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Xenopus Proteins
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delta protein
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neurogenin, Xenopus
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noggin protein
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Neurogenic differentiation factor 1
Associated data
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GENBANK/U67776
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GENBANK/U67777
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GENBANK/U67778
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GENBANK/U67779