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BMP signalling in early Xenopus development
Author(s) -
Dale Leslie,
Jones C. Michael
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-1878(199909)21:9<751::aid-bies6>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - chordin , morphogen , noggin , xenopus , bone morphogenetic protein , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , mesoderm , embryonic induction , bmpr2 , endoderm , signalling , genetics , embryonic stem cell , gene
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are typically members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) family with diverse roles in embryonic development. At least five genes with homology to BMPs are expressed during Xenopus development, along with their receptors and intracellular signalling pathways. The evidence suggests that BMPs have roles to play in both mesoderm induction and dorsoventral patterning. Studies in Xenopus have also identified a number of inhibitory binding proteins for the classical BMPs, encoded by genes such as chordin and noggin . These proteins appear to be responsible for establishing a morphogen gradient of BMP4 activity, which specifies different dorsoventral fates in early gastrulae. An emerging theme is that inhibition of BMP signalling is an important mechanism regulating cell fate decisions in early development. BioEssays 21:751–760, 1999. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.