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. 1995 Dec 15;14(24):6268–6279. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1995.tb00317.x

Antagonizing the Spemann organizer: role of the homeobox gene Xvent-1.

V Gawantka 1, H Delius 1, K Hirschfeld 1, C Blumenstock 1, C Niehrs 1
PMCID: PMC394751  PMID: 8557046

Abstract

We have identified a novel homeobox gene, Xvent-1, that is differentially expressed in the ventral marginal zone of the early Xenopus gastrula. Evidence is presented from mRNA microinjection experiments for a role for this gene in dorsoventral patterning of mesoderm. First, Xvent-1 is induced by BMP-4, a gene known to be a key regulator of ventral mesoderm development. Second, Xvent-1 and the organizer-specific gene goosecoid are able to interact, directly or indirectly, in a cross-regulatory loop suppressing each other's expression, consistent with their mutually exclusive expression in the marginal zone. Third, microinjection of Xvent-1 mRNA ventralizes dorsal mesoderm. The results suggest that Xvent-1 functions in a ventral signaling pathway that maintains the ventral mesodermal state and antagonizes the Spemann organizer.

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