Gdf16, a novel member of the growth/differentiation factor subgroup of theTGF-beta superfamily, is expressed in the hindbrain and epibranchial placodes

We have isolated and characterized the developmental expression of Xenopus gdf16, a novel member of the growth/differentiation factor (gdf) gene famil y. The gdf16 gene encodes a pre-proprotein of 413 amino acids and a mature peptide of 122 amino acids. Gdf16 is most closely related to the zebrafish genes dynamo and radar, but exhibits a completely different expression patt ern. Gene expression is detected at early tailbud (stage 25) in the first t wo epibranchial placodes and in a hindbrain-specific domain. As development proceeds, the gene is expressed in all the epibranchial placodes, the hind brain, and the diencephalon. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rig hts reserved.