Abstract
Signaling molecules such as Activin, Sonic hedgehog, Nodal, Lefty, and Vg1 have been found to be involved in determination of left-right (L-R) asymmetry in the chick, mouse, or frog. However, a common signaling pathway has not yet been identified in vertebrates. We report that Pitx2, a bicoid-type homeobox gene expressed asymmetrically in the left lateral plate mesoderm, may be involved in determination of L-R asymmetry in both mouse and chick. Since Pitx2 appears to be downstream of lefty-1 in the mouse pathway, we examined whether mouse Lefty proteins could affect the expression of Pitx2 in the chick. Our results indicate that a common pathway from lefty-1 to Pitx2 likely exists for determination of L-R asymmetry in vertebrates.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Patterning / genetics*
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Chick Embryo
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Drosophila Proteins
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Embryo, Mammalian
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Genes, Homeobox / physiology*
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Homeobox Protein PITX2
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Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
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Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
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Left-Right Determination Factors
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Mice
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Models, Genetic
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Nuclear Proteins*
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Protein Biosynthesis
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Proteins / genetics
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Signal Transduction / genetics*
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Trans-Activators / genetics*
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Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
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Transcription Factors / genetics*
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Transcription Factors / physiology
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology*
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Left-Right Determination Factors
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Nuclear Proteins
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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bcd protein, Drosophila
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homeobox protein PITX1
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homeobox protein PITX3