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The TGF‐β family member derrière is involved in regulation of the establishment of left–right asymmetry
Author(s) -
Hanafusa Hiroshi,
Masuyama Norihisa,
Kusakabe Morioh,
Shibuya Hiroshi,
Nishida Eisuke
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1093/embo-reports/kvd008
Subject(s) - nodal , ectopic expression , biology , asymmetry , left and right , genetics , gene , engineering , physics , structural engineering , quantum mechanics
Although a number of genes that are involved in the establishment of left–right asymmetry have been identified, earlier events in the molecular pathway developing left–right asymmetry remain to be elucidated. Here we present evidence suggesting that the transforming growth factor‐β family member derrière is involved in the development of left–right asymmetry in Xenopus embryos. Ectopic expression of derrière on the right side can fully invert cardiac and visceral left–right orientation and nodal expression, and expression of a dominant‐negative form of derrière on the left side can partially randomize the left–right orientation and nodal expression. Moreover, while expression of the dominant‐negative derrière does not inhibit the activity of Vg1 directly, it can rescue the altered left–right orientation induced by Vg1. Vg1 can induce derrière in animal cap explants. These results suggest that derrière is involved in earlier molecular pathways developing the left–right asymmetry.