Abstract
Gastrulation generates mesoderm and endoderm from embryonic epiblast; soon after, the neural plate is established within the epiblast-both events require FGF signaling. We describe a zinc finger transcriptional activator, Churchill (ChCh), which acts as a switch between different roles of FGF. FGF induces ChCh slowly; this activates Smad-interacting-protein-1 (Sip1), which blocks further induction of the mesoderm markers brachyury and Tbx6L by FGF. ChCh is first expressed as cells stop migrating through the primitive streak, and we show that it regulates cell ingression. We propose a simple mechanism by which FGF sensitizes cells to BMP signals. These results reveal that neural induction requires cessation of mesoderm formation at the midline in addition to the decision between epidermis and neural plate.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
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Animals
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Avian Proteins / genetics
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Avian Proteins / isolation & purification*
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Base Sequence / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Movement / genetics
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Central Nervous System / cytology
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Central Nervous System / metabolism
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Chick Embryo
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DNA, Complementary / analysis
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DNA, Complementary / genetics
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / embryology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
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Embryonic Induction / genetics
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Fetal Proteins*
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Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
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Gastrula / cytology
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Gastrula / metabolism*
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
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Mesoderm / metabolism
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism
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T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / isolation & purification*
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Transcriptional Activation / genetics*
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Xenopus / embryology
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Xenopus Proteins
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Zinc Fingers / genetics
Substances
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Avian Proteins
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CHURC1 protein, Xenopus
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DNA, Complementary
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Fetal Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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T-Box Domain Proteins
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Tbx6 protein, Xenopus
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors
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Xenopus Proteins
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ZEB2 protein, Xenopus
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Fibroblast Growth Factors
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Brachyury protein
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF238862
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GENBANK/AF238863