Nodal antagonists regulate formation of the anteroposterior axis of the mouse embryo

Nature. 2004 Mar 25;428(6981):387-92. doi: 10.1038/nature02418. Epub 2004 Mar 7.

Abstract

Patterning of the mouse embryo along the anteroposterior axis during body plan development requires migration of the distal visceral endoderm (DVE) towards the future anterior side by a mechanism that has remained unknown. Here we show that Nodal signalling and the regionalization of its antagonists are required for normal migration of the DVE. Whereas Nodal signalling provides the driving force for DVE migration by stimulating the proliferation of visceral endoderm cells, the antagonists Lefty1 and Cerl determine the direction of migration by asymmetrically inhibiting Nodal activity on the future anterior side.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning* / drug effects
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Movement
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects
  • Embryo, Mammalian / embryology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism*
  • Endoderm / cytology
  • Endoderm / drug effects
  • Endoderm / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Left-Right Determination Factors
  • Mice
  • Nodal Protein
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cer1 protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxh1 protein, mouse
  • Left-Right Determination Factors
  • Nodal Protein
  • Nodal protein, mouse
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta