The Xvent-2 homeobox gene is part of the BMP-4 signalling pathway controlling [correction of controling] dorsoventral patterning of Xenopus mesoderm

Development. 1996 Oct;122(10):3045-53. doi: 10.1242/dev.122.10.3045.

Abstract

We describe a novel Xenopus homeobox gene, Xvent-2, which together with the previously identified homeobox gene Xvent-1, defines a novel class of homeobox genes. vent genes are related by sequence homology, expression pattern and gain-of-function phenotype. Evidence is presented for a role of Xvent-2 in the BMP-4 pathway involved in dorsoventral patterning of mesoderm. (1) Xvent-2 is expressed in regions that also express BMP-4. (2) Xvent-2 and BMP-4 interact in a positive feedback loop. (3) Xvent-2 ventralizes dorsal mesoderm in a dose-dependent manner resulting in phenoytpes ranging from microcephaly to Bauchstück pieces, as does BMP-4. (4) Like BMP-4 and gsc, Xvent-2 and gsc are able to interact in a crossregulatory loop to suppress each other. (5) Microinjection of Xvent-2 mRNA can rescue dorsalization by a dominant-negative BMP-4 receptor. The results suggest that Xvent-2 functions in the BMP-4 signalling pathway that antagonizes the Spemann organizer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Gene Expression
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mesoderm
  • Microinjections
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Notochord / cytology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Growth Factor*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Xenopus / embryology*
  • Xenopus Proteins*

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • ventx2.1 protein, Xenopus
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X98849