Sasai Y et al. (1994), Xenopus chordin: a novel dorsalizing factor act...

XB-ART-20449

Cell December 2, 1994; 79 (5): 779-90.

Xenopus chordin: a novel dorsalizing factor activated by organizer-specific homeobox genes.

Sasai Y , Lu B , Steinbeisser H , Geissert D , Gont LK , De Robertis EM .

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.

PubMed ID: 8001117
PMC ID: PMC3082463
Article link: Cell
Grant support: [+]
Genes referenced: chrd.1 gsc nog not

Article Images: [+] show captions

References:

Amaya, 1991, Pubmed, Xenbase [+]

	Figure 1 chordin Is Expressed in Regions with Head, Trunk, and Tail Organizer Activity
	Figure 2 chordin, but Not noggin, Expression Is Activated by gsc and Xnot2 Homeobox-Containing mRNAs
	Figure 3 chordin Induction by Activin Requires De Novo Protein Synthesis
	Figure 4 Xenopus chordin Encodes a Putative Secreted Protein
	Figure 5 chordin mRNA Induces Secondary Axes
	Figure 6 Dose-Dependent Axial Rescue by chordin mRNA