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Pitx1 and Pitx2c are required for ectopic cement gland formation in xenopus laevis
Author(s) -
Schweickert Axel,
Deißler Kirsten,
Blum Martin,
Steinbeisser Herbert
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/gene.1051
Subject(s) - biology , xenopus , morpholino , primordium , homeobox , microbiology and biotechnology , ectopic expression , gene , embryo , gastrulation , transcription factor , embryogenesis , genetics , gene knockdown
Abstract Summary: The mucus secreting cement gland is the anterior‐most ectodermal organ of the Xenopus embryo . The homeobox genes Pltx1 and Pitx2c are expressed in the cement gland primordium. Misexpression of both genes induced ectopic cement gland tissue in whole embryos and transcription of the marker genes Xag1 and Xag2 in animal cap explant cultures. Antisense morpholino oligonucleotides against Pitx1 and Pitx2c inhibited ectopic cement gland formation induced by otx2 . Gene knock downs generated by morpholino oligonucleotides were specific and could be rescued by coinjection of Pitx mRNAs. These data demonstrate for the first time the requirement of specific genes for cement gland formation by loss‐of‐function experiments. genesis 30:144–148, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.