Activin as a morphogen in Xenopus mesoderm induction

Authors
McDowell, N Gurdon, JB
Citation
N. Mcdowell et Jb. Gurdon, Activin as a morphogen in Xenopus mesoderm induction, SEM CELL D, 10(3), 1999, pp. 311-317
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
10849521 → ACNP
Volume
10
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
311 - 317
Database
ISI
SICI code
1084-9521(199906)10:3<311:AAAMIX>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Activin, a member of the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-beta) superfa mily, can behave as a morphogen in cells of the early Xenopus embryo by ind ucing a range of mesodermal genes in a concentration-dependent manner. This review examines the behaviour of activin as it forms a morphogen gradient. It also discusses how a cell can perceive its position in a concentration gradient in order to activate appropriate mesodermal gene responses.