PATTERN FORMATION DURING EARLY XENOPUS DEVELOPMENT

包含基因的同源框是一个基因家族，已经在 果蝇在发育过程中控制图案的形成。这些基因 编码蛋白质，以序列特定的方式与DNA结合。他们 含有一个180个碱基的保守DNA结构域，称为同源异型盒。我们有 分离了几个同源异型盒，这些同源盒包含在 非洲爪哇的早期发展。我们已经确定了它们的时空分布 Northern印迹分析和原位杂交的表达模式 杂交。这些基因中至少有一部分是在 原肠胚形成，是中胚层发育的关键时期 神经感应就会发生。这些基因的序列分析 揭示了其中一些基因与先前描述的基因同源 在其他物种中，如老鼠和果蝇，其他物种还没有 描述。其中一个新的同源异型盒基因XDLL-1与 果蝇远端缺失基因家族。它在胚胎中表达 骨水泥腺体、神经沟起源于内脏弓和前脑。它的 时空表达模式表明该基因参与了 在前脑和头面部发育方面。除了同源异型盒 基因家族我们分离到了Fork Head基因家族的新成员。 这个家庭的每个成员都有一个非常有趣的 表达模式，其中至少有一部分是癌基因。第一 非洲爪哇叉头基因XFKH1具有许多非常有趣的特征。它 在胚胎发育中期或之后不久被激活。 胚胎的背侧边缘骨。在原肠早期，它是受限的。 到组织者区域。在以后的阶段中，它在 脊索和神经组织者区域。此外，它还可以通过以下方式诱导 隔离动物帽子中的激活素。它的表达模式和诱导性 激活素表明，该基因对早期有重要意义 非洲爪哇胚胎中的模式形成。它的表达模式和 激活素的诱导性表明该基因具有至关重要的作用。 用于非洲爪哇胚胎的早期模式形成。我们已经证明这一点 基因属于一个更大的叉头基因家族，就像同源异型盒一样 基因涉及图案形成和细胞的不同方面。 差异化。此外，我们也开展了类似的研究，以 斑马鱼胚胎中的图案形成。

Homeobox containing genes are a family of genes which have been shown in Drosophila to control pattern formation during development. These genes encode proteins which bind to DNA in a sequence specific manner. They contain a 180 bp conserved DNA domain called a homeobox. We have isolated several homeobox containing genes which are activated during early Xenopus development. We have determined their temporal and spatial expression pattern using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. At least some of these genes are expressed during gastrulation, a critical time period of development at which mesodermal and neural induction takes place. Sequence analysis of these genes revealed that some of them are homologous to previously described genes in other species such as mouse and Drosophila, others have not yet been described. One of the new homeobox genes, the XDLL- 1, is homologous to Drosophila Distal-less gene family. It is expressed in the embryonic cement gland, neural crest derived visceral arches and forebrain. Its temporospatial expression pattern indicates that this gene is involved in forebrain and cranio-facial development. In addition to the homeobox gene family we have isolated new members of the Fork head gene family. The individual members of this family have a highly interesting expression pattern and at least some of them are oncogenes. The first Xenopus Fork head gene XFKH1 has many highly interesting features. It is activated at, or shortly after, the mid-blastula transition in the dorsal marginal bone of the embryo. In early gastrulae it is restricted to the organizer region. At later stages it is expressed in the notochord and neural organizer region. Furthermore, it is inducible by activin in isolated animal caps. Its expression pattern and inducibility by activin suggests that this gene has a critical importance for early pattern formation in Xenopus embryos. Its expression pattern and inducibility by activin suggests that this gene has a critical importance for early pattern formation in Xenopus embryos. We have shown that this gene belongs to a larger family of Fork head genes, which, like homeobox genes are involved in different aspects of pattern formation and cell differentiation. In addition, we have initiated similar research into pattern formation in Zebrafish embryos.