A mesoderm-inducing factor is produced by aXenopuscell line

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.99.1.3
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T14:27:33Z
• Authors: J. C. Smith
• Keywords: Notochord; Lateral plate mesoderm; Germ layer; Embryonic Induction; Paraxial mesoderm; Blastula

Inductive interactions play a major role in the diversification of cell types during vertebrate development. These have been extensively studied amphibian embryos (usually Xenopus laevis) where earliest is mesoderm induction, which an equatorial mesodermal rudiment induced from animal hemisphere under influence signal vegetal hemisphere. The molecular basis induction unknown, although Tiedemann has isolated protein form 9- to 13-day chick that properties one would expect mesoderm-inducing factor. However, relevance this molecule events early development unclear, and it matter some importance discover In paper I show XTC line secretes activity into culture medium. Isolated pole regions cultured XTC-conditioned medium differentiate muscle notochord, while controls 'atypical epidermis'. Three different lines -XL, XL177 KR- secrete no such indicates active principle heat stable, trypsin sensitive, nondialysable, apparent relative mass about 16,000. Work progress characterize further whether factor also present normal embryos.