PUBLICATION

Sebox regulates mesoderm formation in early amphibian embryos

Authors
Chen, G., Tan, R.B., Tao, Q.H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-150819-1
Date
2015
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   244(11): 1415-26 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Mix-like genes, PAPC, Wnt11, Xenopus, non-canonical Wnt
MeSH Terms
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Homeodomain Proteins/physiology*
  • Genes, Homeobox/genetics
  • Genes, Homeobox/physiology*
  • Gastrula/physiology
  • Wnt Proteins/metabolism
  • Cadherins/genetics
  • Cadherins/metabolism
  • Cadherins/physiology*
  • Gastrulation
  • Animals
  • Mesoderm/physiology*
  • Xenopus Proteins/genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins/physiology*
  • Xenopus/embryology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Ligands
  • DNA, Complementary/metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Activins/metabolism
  • Nodal Protein/metabolism
PubMed
26285158 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Mix/Bix genes are important regulators of mesendoderm formation during vertebrate embryogenesis. Sebox, an additional member of this gene family, has been implicated in endoderm formation during early embryogenesis in zebrafish. However, it remains unclear whether Sebox plays a unique role in early Xenopus embryos.
In this study, we provide evidence that Sebox is uniquely required for the formation of mesoderm during early Xenopus embryogenesis. Sebox is dynamically expressed in the involuted mesoderm during gastrulation. It is activated by Nodal/Activin signaling and modulated by zygotic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Overexpression of Sebox perturbs movements during convergent extension and inhibits the expression of mesodermal, but not endodermal, genes induced by Nodal/Activin signaling. Depletion of Sebox using a specific MO increases the expression of non-canonical wnt5a, wnt5b, and wnt11b. Depletion of Sebox also upregulates the expression of pcdh8.2, a paraxial mesoderm-specific protocadherin, in a Wnt11B-dependent manner. Sebox morphants display reduced development of the head and notochord.
Our findings illustrate that Sebox, a unique member of the Mix/Bix gene family, functions downstream of Nodal/Activin signaling and is required for the proper expression of non-canonical Wnt ligands and the normal development of mesoderm in Xenopus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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