PUBLICATION

The EGF-CFC gene family in vertebrate development

Authors
Shen, M.M. and Schier, A.F.
ID
ZDB-PUB-000622-4
Date
2000
Source
Trends in genetics : TIG   16(7): 303-309 (Review)
Registered Authors
Schier, Alexander
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Growth Substances/chemistry
  • Growth Substances/genetics*
  • Growth Substances/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Vertebrates/embryology*
PubMed
10858660 Full text @ Trends Genet.
Abstract
EGF-CFC genes encode extracellular proteins that play key roles in intercellular signaling pathways during vertebrate embryogenesis. Mutations in zebrafish and mouse EGF-CFC genes lead to defects in germ-layer formation, anterior-posterior axis orientation and left-right axis specification. In addition, members of the EGF-CFC family have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Although formerly regarded as signaling molecules that are distant relatives of epidermal growth factor (EGF), recent findings indicate that EGF-CFC proteins act as essential cofactors for Nodal, a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family. Here, we review molecular genetic evidence from mouse and zebrafish on biological and biochemical roles of the EGF-CFC family, and discuss differing models for EGF-CFC protein function.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping