Smad family proteins have been identified as mediators of intracellular signal transduction by the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Each member pathway-restricted, receptor-activated cooperates and synergizes with Smad4, called co-Smad, to transduce signals. Only Smad4 has shown able function a common partner various pathway-restricted Smads in mammals. Here we novel Smad4-like molecule <i>Xenopus</i> (XSmad4β) well homolog established (XSmad4α). XSmad4β is 70% identical...

Cilia are essential for embryogenesis and maintenance of homeostasis, but little is known about the signalling pathways that regulate ciliogenesis. Here, we identify ERK7, an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase, as a key regulator ERK7 strongly expressed in ciliated tissues Xenopus embryos. knockdown markedly diminishes both number length cilia multiciliated cells, it inhibits apical migration basal bodies. Moreover, results loss actin meshwork, which required proper We find CapZIP,...

Sox9 acts together with Sox5 or Sox6 as a master regulator for chondrogenesis; however, the inter-relationship among these transcription factors remains unclear. Here, we show that protein kinase MLTK plays an essential role in onset of chondrogenesis through triggering induction expression by Sox9. We find knockdown Xenopus embryos results drastic loss craniofacial cartilages without defects neural crest development. also is specifically induced during chondrogenesis, and inhibited...

A balance between cell survival and apoptosis is essential for animal development. Although proper development involves multiple interactions germ layers, little known about the intercellular intertissue signaling pathways that promote in neighboring or distant layers. We found serum- glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) promoted ectodermal during early Xenopus embryogenesis through a non-cell-autonomous mechanism. Dorsal depletion of SGK1 embryos resulted shortened axes reduced head...

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) functions as a natural inducer of mesoderm, regulator cell differentiation and autocrine modulator transformation. The FGF-2 signals are transduced through receptors with intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity. However, receptor binding activation is governed by extracellular matrix, surface or soluble proteoglycans. This paper focuses on the role proteoglycans synthesized embryonic cells, embryoglycans, in signaling via FGF receptor-1 (FGFR-1). We...

It has been suggested that ILK (integrin-linked kinase) participates in integrin- and growth factor-mediated signaling pathways also functions as a scaffold protein at cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion sites. As the recently reported knockout mice were found to die peri-implantation stage, stage specific mammals, little is known about function of early developmental processes common every vertebrate. To address this, we isolated Xenopus ortholog (XeILK) characterized its role...

Abstract Background HECT domain and ankyrin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HACE1) regulates a wide variety of cellular processes. It has been shown that one the targets HACE1 is GTP-bound form small GTPase Rac1. However, role in early development remains unknown. Results In situ hybridization revealed Xenopus laevis hace1 specifically expressed ectoderm at blastula gastrula stages epidermis, branchial arch, kidney, central nervous system tailbud stage. Knockdown embryos via...

Cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1 ( CNRIP 1), which has been originally identified as the binding partner of cannabinoid CNR is evolutionarily conserved throughout vertebrates, but its physiological function unknown. Here, we identify a developmental role using Xenopus laevis embryos. During early embryogenesis, expression cnrip1 highly restricted to animal region gastrulae where neural and eye induction occur, afterward it seen in other tissues with temporally spatially regulated...

The FGF pathway regulates a variety of developmental processes in animals through activation and/or repression numerous target genes. Here we have identified <I>Xenopus</I> homolog <I>potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 (KCTD15)</I> as an FGF-repressed gene. <I>Kctd15</I> expression is first detected at the gastrula stage and gradually increases until tadpole stage. Whole-mount <I>in situ </I>hybridization reveals that spatial <I>kctd15</I> tightly regulated during early...

Cell fate specifications of multiciliate cells (MCCs) and ionocytes are commonly suppressed by the Notch pathway in developing epithelia, but governed different master regulators, suggesting existence a common regulator linking to both MCC ionocyte specifications. Here we show that mab21 family gene, mab21-l3, represents missing link. In Xenopus embryonic epidermis, mab21-l3 expression is specifically found MCCs downregulated pathway. Knockdown downregulates MCC-specific ionocyte-specific...

Epidermal differentiation in the ventral ectoderm of Xenopus embryos is regulated by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway. However, it remains unclear how BMP pathway activated and induces epidermal fate ectoderm. Here, we identify a novel player that required for during early embryonic development. We show EIG121L (xEIG121L) protein, an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane expressed at gastrula neurula stages. Almost complete knockdown xEIG121L with antisense morpholino...

Epithelia contribute to physical barriers that protect internal tissues from the external environment and also support organ structure. Accordingly, establishment maintenance of epithelial architecture are essential for both embryonic development adult physiology. Here, using gene knockout knockdown techniques along with profiling, we show extracellular signal–regulated kinase 3 (ERK3), a poorly characterized atypical mitogen-activated protein (MAPK), regulates in vertebrates. We found...

Neurotrophic signaling regulates neural cell behaviors in development and physiology, although its role regeneration has not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the of neurotrophic Xenopus laevis tadpole tail regeneration. After tails were amputated, expression neurotrophin ligand family genes, especially ngf bdnf, was up-regulated as proceeded. Moreover, notochordal NGF receptor gene TrkA, but that other genes TrkB TrkC, became prominent bud, a structure arising from stump after...

ABSTRACT Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) functions as a natural inducer of mesoderm, regulator cell differentiation and autocrine modulator transformation. The FGF-2 signals are transduced through receptors with intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity. However, receptor binding activation is governed by extracellular matrix, surface or soluble proteoglycans. This paper focuses on the role proteoglycans synthesized embryonic cells, embryoglycans, in signaling via FGF receptor-1...