Abstract
The Brachyury (T) gene is required for mesoderm formation in the mouse. In this paper we describe the cloning and expression of a Xenopus homolog of Brachyury, Xbra. As with Brachyury in the mouse, Xbra is expressed in presumptive mesodermal cells around the blastopore, and then in the notochord. We show that expression of Xbra occurs as a result of mesoderm induction in Xenopus, both in response to the natural signal and in response to the mesoderm-inducing factors activin A and basic FGF. Expression of Xbra in response to these factors is rapid, and will occur in dispersed cells and in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, indicating that this is an "immediate-early" response to mesoderm induction.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Activins
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Blotting, Northern
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Cloning, Molecular
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Cycloheximide / pharmacology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology*
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Gene Library
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Genes*
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Inhibins / pharmacology
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Mesoderm / physiology*
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Mice / genetics*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects
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RNA / genetics
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RNA / isolation & purification
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
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Transcription, Genetic
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Xenopus / genetics*
Substances
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
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Activins
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Inhibins
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RNA
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Cycloheximide
Associated data
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GENBANK/M77243
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GENBANK/S56945
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GENBANK/S60911
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GENBANK/S60914
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GENBANK/S60917
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GENBANK/S60919
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GENBANK/S60920
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GENBANK/S60969
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GENBANK/S61522
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GENBANK/S61524