Nat Cell Biol January 1, 2009; 11 (1): 106-9.

Regulation of ERK activity duration by Sprouty contributes to dorsoventral patterning.

Abstract
Distinct modes of ERK activation, sustained or transient, are essential for cell fate decision in cultured cells. Here we show that Xenopus laevis Sprouty2 (XSpry2) controls the duration of ERK activity and thereby contributes to the establishment of dorsoventral patterning during mesoderm formation. Furthermore, Xenopus Fos (XFos) can function as a molecular sensor of the ERK signalling duration in Xenopus embryos. This work provides the first evidence that regulating the duration of ERK activity contributes to cell fate decisions in the context of the whole organism.

PubMed ID: 19122596
Article link: Nat Cell Biol


Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: fos mapk1 spry1 spry2
Morpholinos: fos MO1 spry1 MO2 spry2 MO2

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