Robust stability of dorsal-ventral patterning by coordination of Chordin and Noggin

脊椎动物的背-腹模式主要受脊索蛋白（Chordin）和诺金（Noggin）两种背化因子的调控。然而，目前尚不清楚为什么D-V轴的形成需要两种具有相同抗bmp活性的不同蛋白。在本研究中，我们发现Chordin和Noggin在胚胎中的分布是不同的。Chordin蛋白降解率高，在体内形成陡峭的梯度，而Noggin蛋白则非常稳定，在体内形成浅梯度。此外，Chordin梯度是根据胚胎的大小通过Chordin降解适当形成的。

Dorsal-ventral patterning of vertebrates is mainly regulated by two dorsalizing factors, Chordin and Noggin. However, it is not clear why two different proteins, which have the same anti-BMP activity, are needed for D-V axis formation. In the present study, we reveal that Chordin and Noggin show different distribution in the embryo. Having high degradation rate, Chordin proteins form steep gradient, while Noggin proteins, which are very stable, form shallow gradient in vivo. Furthermore, Chordin gradient is properly shaped according to the size of the embryo via Chordin degradation.