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. 1994 Apr 12;91(8):3067–3071. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.8.3067

The retinoid X receptor ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid, is a potential regulator of early Xenopus development.

J C Kraft 1, T Schuh 1, M Juchau 1, D Kimelman 1
PMCID: PMC43516  PMID: 8159708

Abstract

Endogenous retinoids are potential regulators of vertebrate embryogenesis that have been implicated in early anterior-posterior patterning and limb-bud development. We have characterized the temporal and spatial distribution of 9-cis-retinoic acid in the Xenopus embryo and compared it to two other retinoids, all-trans-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinoyl-beta-glucuronide. 9-cis-Retinoic acid is first detected after the midblastula transition and by the end of gastrulation is localized primarily within the anterior and posterior dorsal regions of the embryo. Since 9-cis-retinoic acid is a 6-fold more potent dysmorphogen than trans-retinoic acid, we suggest that it is involved in the early specification of the Xenopus anterior-posterior axis.

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