A NOVEL TGF-BETA-LIKE GENE, FUGACIN, SPECIFICALLY EXPRESSED IN THE SPEMANN ORGANIZER OF XENOPUS

Using a differential screening strategy, we have cloned a novel Xenopu s gene, fugacin, related to the transforming growth factor beta superf amily. Transcripts were detected primarily in the dorsal marginal zone of late blastula. Thereafter, they became highly localized to the bla stopore Lip of early gastrula and were not observed at later stages. T his gene, which is most homologous to the mouse gene nodal, displays a new pattern of cysteine residues. These findings highlight the potent ial role of these growth factors during early vertebrate development. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.