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Gene Expr Patterns
2004 Oct 01;46:719-24. doi: 10.1016/j.modgep.2004.04.001.
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Cloning and expression of an SH3 domain-containing protein (Xchef-1), a novel downstream target of activin/nodal signaling.
Meek LM
,
Hayata T
,
Shin YC
,
Evinger AJ
,
Cho KW
.
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The activity of the activin/nodal signaling cascade is essential for the proper specification of germ layers during gastrulation. Many of the components of this signaling pathway have been identified, but relatively few downstream targets have been discovered. Using cDNA microarrays, we have identified a novel SH3-domain-containing gene we have named Xchef-1 that is upregulated in response to activin/nodal signaling. Xchef-1 is a direct downstream target of activin and is expressed in the marginal zones of gastrulating Xenopus embryos in a dynamic pattern reminiscent of nodal expression. At neurula stages, Xchef-1 is expressed in neural crest of the head and trunk as well as in the anterior neural plate. These domains of expression are then restricted at tailbud stages to the branchial arches, and the region of the future gall bladder.
Fig. 2. Developmental expression of Xchef-1 during Xenopus embryogenesis. (A) RT-PCR developmental time course of Xchef-1 RNA expression. Stages are indicated at the top. Xchef-1 is not expressed prior to the onset of zygotic transcription. (B–M) Whole-mount in situ hybridization of Xchef-1. Hemisections through the dorsal/ventral plane of an early stage 10− (B) embryo showing expression on the dorsal side of the marginal zone. Hemisections through the dorsal lip (arrowheads) at late stage 10+ (C), and a stage 10.5 (D) embryo showing expression throughout the involuting mesoderm. (E) Stage 10.5 embryo showing strong Xchef-1 expression above the dorsal lip and weakly throughout the marginal zone. (F, H) Stage 14 and 18 embryos, respectively, showing expression in the migrating neural crest cells (nc) and the anterior neural plate (anp). (G, I) Dorsal views (anterior is up) of stage 14 and 18 embryos, respectively, showing dorsal Xchef-1 expression in the trunk crest and spinal cord anlage. (J, K) Cross-sections of stage 14 and 17 embryos, respectively, showing expression in the spinal cord anlage and the trunk neural crest. (L, M) Stage 23 and 32 embryos, respectively, shows Xchef-1 expression restricted to the branchial arches (black arrows) and posterior to the liver in the region of the future gall bladder (white arrows). t, trunk neural crest; n, notochord; s, somitogenic mesoderm; ba, branchial arches.
