XB-IMG-131250
Xenbase Image ID: 131250
Fig. 5. Molecular control of intersomitic vein
development. (A) EphB4/ephrin-B signaling
controls angiogenic growth of intersomitic
veins in Xenopus. The panel depicts
schematically the growth of an intersomitic
vein (red) by sprouting angiogenesis from the
posterior cardinal vein (blue). Ephrin-B1 and
ephrin-B2 are expressed in the somites
(yellow), whereas EphB4 receptors are present
on the posterior cardinal vein and intersomitic
veins. Interactions between EphB4 receptors
and ephrin-B ligands restrict intersomitic veins
from inappropriate growth into adjacent somitic
tissues. Disruption of EphB4 signaling or
ectopic expression of ephrin-B ligands leads to
aberrant projection of intersomitic veins.
(B) Tentative hierarchy of genes regulating intersomitic vein development in vertebrates. Key steps in intersomitic vein formation are shown
together with the developmental block observed in Xenopus or mouse embryos that are disrupted for the indicated gene functions.
EphB2/EphB3 refers to double mutant mice. Ephrin-B1 is also implicated based on its somitic expression and the phenotype observed in
overexpression experiments. Image published in: Helbling PM et al. (2000) Copyright © 2000. Image reproduced with permission of the publisher and the copyright holder. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. Larger Image Printer Friendly View |