PUBLICATION

APOBEC2, a selective inhibitor of TGFβ signaling, regulates left–right axis specification during early embryogenesis

Authors
Vonica, A., Rosa, A., Arduini, B., and Brivanlou, A.H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-101011-23
Date
2011
Source
Developmental Biology   350(1): 13-23 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Arduini, Brigitte
Keywords
APOBEC2, Left–right, Muscle, TGFβ, Xenopus
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning*
  • Cytidine Deaminase/genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase/metabolism*
  • DNA/genetics
  • DNA/metabolism
  • Embryonic Development*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
  • RNA Editing*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*
  • Xenopus Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Xenopus Proteins/genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins/metabolism*
  • Xenopus laevis/embryology*
  • Xenopus laevis/genetics
  • Xenopus laevis/metabolism
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
PubMed
20880495 Full text @ Dev. Biol.
Abstract
The specification of left-right asymmetry is an evolutionarily conserved developmental process in vertebrates. The interplay between two TGFβ ligands, Derrière/GDF1 and Xnr1/Nodal, together with inhibitors such as Lefty and Coco/Cerl2, have been shown to provide the signals that lead to the establishment of laterality. However, molecular events leading to and following these signals remain mostly unknown. We find that APOBEC2, a member of the cytidine deaminase family of DNA/RNA editing enzymes, is induced by TGFβ signaling, and that its activity is necessary to specify the left-right axis in Xenopus and zebrafish embryos. Surprisingly, we find that APOBEC2 selectively inhibits Derrière, but not Xnr1, signaling. The inhibitory effect is conserved, as APOBEC2 blocks TGFβ signaling, and promotes muscle differentiation, in a mammalian myoblastic cell line. This demonstrates for the first time that a putative RNA/DNA editing enzyme regulates TGFβ signaling, and plays a major role in development.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping