Work

Positional Cloning Identifies Zebrafish one-eyed pinhead as a Permissive EGF-Related Ligand Required during Gastrulation

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: The zebrafish one-eyed pinhead (oep) mutation disrupts embryonic development, resulting in cyclopia and defects in endoderm, prechordal plate, and ventral neuroectoderm formation. We report the molecular isolation of oep using a positional cloning approach. The oep gene encodes a novel EGF-related protein with similarity to the EGF-CFC proteins cripto, cryptic, and FRL-1. Wild-type oep protein contains a functional signal sequence and is membrane-associated. Following ubiquitous maternal and zygotic expression, highest levels of oep mRNA are found in the gastrula margin and in axial structures and forebrain. Widespread misexpression of both membrane-attached and secreted forms of oep rescues prechordal plate and forebrain development in mutant embryos but does not lead to the ectopic induction of these cell types in wild-type fish. These results establish an essential but permissive role for an EGF-related ligand during vertebrate gastrulation.

Source: Cell

DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80918-6

Authors: Jiaojiao Zhang, William S. Talbot, Alexander F. Schier

Institutions: NYU Langone Health, New York University

Language: English

Topic: Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $11,400

Funders: National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Center for Research Resources