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Implication of bax in Xenopus laevis tail regression at metamorphosis
Author(s) -
Sachs Laurent M.,
Le Mevel Sébastien,
Demeneix Barbara A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20166
Subject(s) - xenopus , biology , metamorphosis , tadpole (physics) , apoptosis , microbiology and biotechnology , complementary dna , salientia , in vivo , gene , amphibian , messenger rna , anatomy , genetics , larva , ecology , physics , particle physics
Apoptosis is fundamental to normal vertebrate development. A dramatic example of postembryonic development involving apoptosis is tail regression during amphibian metamorphosis. Earlier studies led us to propose a functional role for the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax in tadpole tail regression. However, its physiological relevance has never been analyzed. We have now cloned a cDNA encoding Xenopus laevis bax ( xlbax ) and used in vivo gene transfer in tail muscle to analyze the effects of xlbax overexpression. Furthermore, by using an antisense strategy in a similar experimental paradigm, xlbax antisense mRNA was shown to block the apoptotic effects of xlbax and protect against apoptosis in metamorphosing tadpoles. Our results suggest that xlbax is a regulator of muscle fiber death in the regressing tail during metamorphosis. Developmental Dynamics 231:671–682, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.