Abstract
In the developing vertebrate embryo, proper dorsal-ventral patterning relies on BMP antagonists secreted by the organizer during gastrulation. The BMP antagonist chordin has a complex interaction with BMPs that is governed in part by its interaction with the secreted protein twisted gastrulation (tsg). In different contexts, tsg has activity as either a BMP agonist or as a BMP antagonist. Using morpholino oligonucleotides in Xenopus tropicalis, we show that reducing tsg gene product results in a ventralized embryo, and that tsg morphants specifically lack a forebrain. We provide new evidence that tsg acts as a BMP antagonist during X. tropicalis gastrulation since the tsg depletion phenotype can be rescued in two ways: by chordin overexpression and by BMP depletion. We conclude that tsg acts as a BMP antagonist in the context of the frog gastrula, and that it acts cooperatively with chordin to establish dorsal structures and particularly forebrain tissue during development.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism
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Down-Regulation
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / embryology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
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Gastrula / metabolism
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Glycoproteins / genetics
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Glycoproteins / metabolism*
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
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Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Prosencephalon / drug effects
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Prosencephalon / embryology*
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Prosencephalon / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / pharmacology
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Signal Transduction
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Xenopus / embryology*
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Xenopus / genetics
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Xenopus / metabolism
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Xenopus Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Xenopus Proteins / genetics
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Xenopus Proteins / metabolism*
Substances
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
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Glycoproteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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TWSG1 protein, Xenopus
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Xenopus Proteins
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bambi-A protein, Xenopus
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chordin