Activin receptor mRNA is expressed early in Xenopus embryogenesis and the level of the expression affects the body axis formation

Effects of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, polyamines, amino acids, and weak bases (amines and ammonia) on development and ribosomal RNA synthesis in Xenopus embryos

We have been studying control mechanisms of gene expression in early embryogenesis in a South African clawed toad Xenopus laevis, especially during the period of midblastula transition (MBT), or the transition from the phase of active cell division (cleavage stage) to the phase of extensive morphogenesis (post-blastular stages). We first found that ribosomal RNA synthesis is initiated shortly after MBT in Xenopus embryos and those weak bases, such as amines and ammonium ion, selectively inhibit the initiation and subsequent activation of rRNA synthesis. We then found that rapidly labeled heterogeneous mRNA-like RNA is synthesized in embryos at pre-MBT stage. We then performed cloning and expression studies of several genes, such as those for activin receptors, follistatin and aldolases, and then reached the studies of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), a key enzyme in polyamine metabolism. Here, we cloned a Xenopus SAMDC cDNA and performed experiments to overexpress the in vitro-synthesized SAMDC mRNA in Xenopus early embryos, and found that the maternally preset program of apoptosis occurs in cleavage stage embryos, which is executed when embryos reach the stage of MBT. In the present article, we first summarize results on SAMDC and the maternal program of apoptosis, and then describe our studies on small-molecular-weight substances like polyamines, amino acids, and amines in Xenopus embryos. Finally, we summarize our studies on weak bases, especially on ammonium ion, as the specific inhibitor of ribosomal RNA synthesis in Xenopus embryonic cells.

Gene expression in Pre-MBT embryos and activation of maternally-inherited program of apoptosis to be executed at around MBT as a fail-safe mechanism in Xenopus early embryogenesis

S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) is an enzyme which converts S-adenosylmethione (SAM), a methyl donor, to decarboxylated SAM (dcSAM), an aminopropyl donor for polyamine biosynthesis. In our studies on gene expression control in Xenopus early embryogenesis, we cloned the mRNA for Xenopus SAMDC, and overexpressed the enzyme by microinjecting its mRNA into Xenopus fertilized eggs. In the mRNA-injected embryos, the level of SAMDC was enormously increased, the SAM was exhausted, and protein synthesis was greatly inhibited, but cellular polyamine content did not change appreciably. SAMDC-overexpressed embryos cleaved and developed normally up to the early blastula stage, but at the midblastula stage, or the stage of midblastula transition (MBT), all the embryos were dissociated into cells, and destroyed due to execution of apoptosis. During cleavage SAMDC-overexpressed embryos transcribed caspase-8 gene, and this was followed by activation of caspase-9. When we overexpressed p53 mRNA in fertilized eggs, similar apoptosis took place at MBT, but in this case, transcription of caspase-8 did not occur, however activation of caspase-9 took place. Apoptosis induced by SAMDC-overexpression was completely suppressed by Bcl-2, whereas apoptosis induced by p53 overexpression or treatments with other toxic agents was only partially rescued. When we injected SAMDC mRNA into only one blastomere of 8- to 32-celled embryos, descendant cells of the mRNA-injected blastomere were segregated into the blastocoel and underwent apoptosis within the blastocoel, although such embryos continued to develop and became tadpoles with various extents of anomaly, reflecting the developmental fate of the eliminated cells. Thus, embryonic cells appear to check themselves at MBT and if physiologically severely-damaged cells occur, they are eliminated from the embryo by activation and execution of the maternally-inherited program of apoptosis. We assume that the apoptosis executed at MBT is a "fail-safe" mechanism of early development to save the embryo from accidental damages that take place during cleavage.

Cloning of a second form of activin-betaA cDNA and regulation of activin-betaA subunits and activin type II receptor mRNA expression by gonadotropin in the zebrafish ovary

Activins are dimeric proteins consisting of two inhibin beta subunits. Homo- and hetero-dimerizations of two isoforms of beta subunits, betaA and betaB, produce three forms of activins, activin-A, -B, and -AB. Recent studies have suggested that activin-A mediates gonadotropin-induced oocyte maturation in the zebrafish. To further understand the physiological role of activin-A in the zebrafish ovary, we have cloned cDNAs for a second isoform of the activin-betaA subunit and the activin type IIA (ActRIIA) receptor and determined their regulation by gonadotropin. Two sequences were obtained during the cloning of activin-betaA subunit, both of which showed high identity to betaA subunits of other species, and were therefore designated as isoform 1 and 2. Real-time PCR quantification was used to measure mRNA levels of activin-betaA1 and -betaA2, as well as two type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, in the zebrafish ovary. Activin-betaA1 mRNA levels in stages III and IV follicles were similar and higher than those in stage II while high activin-betaA2 mRNA levels were only found in stage IV follicles. Highest levels of mRNA expression were detected in small and large stage III follicles for ActRIIA and ActRIIB, respectively. Treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin induced dose- and time-dependent increases in mRNA levels of activin-betaA1 and -betaA, as well as ActRIIA and ActRIIB. These findings further support the involvement of the activin signaling cascade in gonadotropin-regulated gonadal activities.

Activins as regulators of branching morphogenesis

Development of glandular organs such as the kidney, lung, and prostate involves the process of branching morphogenesis. The developing organ begins as an epithelial bud that invades the surrounding mesenchyme, projecting dividing epithelial cords or tubes away from the site of initiation. This is a tightly regulated process that requires complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, resulting in a three-dimensional treelike structure. We propose that activins are key growth and differentiation factors during this process. The purpose of this review is to examine the direct, indirect, and correlative lines of evidence to support this hypothesis. The expression of activins is reviewed together with the effect of activins and follistatins in the development of branched organs. We demonstrate that activin has both negative and positive effects on cell growth during branching morphogenesis, highlighting the complex nature of activin in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. We propose potential mechanisms for the way in which activins modify branching and address the issue of whether activin is a regulator of branching morphogenesis.

In synergy with noggin and follistatin, Xenopus nodal-related gene induces sonic hedgehog on notochord and floor plate

In early development of vertebrates, sonic hedgehog functions in dorsal-ventral patterning of dorsal tissue (nervous system and somites). In Xenopus, sonic hedgehog (Xshh) is first expressed in the Spemann organizer/notochord and floor plate. We report here the mechanism governing Xshh mRNA induction in these regions. In animal cap assays, the antagonizing BMPs signal was not sufficient to induce Xshh mRNA expression; however, it could induce Xshh mRNA expression in the presence of Xnr-1. In whole embryos, when secondary axes were induced by coexpressing noggin and Xnr-1 or follistatin and Xnr-1, Xshh mRNA expression was observed in the notochord and floor plate within the induced axes. It seems apparent that spatially restricted Xshh mRNA expression is determined as intersection of the two signals.

Maternal program of apoptosis activated shortly after midblastula transition by overexpression of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in Xenopus early embryos

When we studied polyamine metabolism in Xenopus embryos, we cloned the cDNA for Xenopus S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), which converts SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), the methyl donor, into decarboxylated SAM (dcSAM), the aminopropyl donor, and microinjected its in vitro transcribed mRNA into Xenopus fertilized eggs. We found here that the mRNA injection induces a SAM deficient state in early embryos due to over-function of the overexpressed SAMDC, which in turn induces inhibition of protein synthesis. Such embryos developed quite normally until blastula stage, but stopped development at the early gastrula stage, due to induction of massive cell dissociation and cell autolysis, irrespective of the dosage and stage of the mRNA injection. We found that the dissociated cells were TUNEL-positive, contained fragmented nuclei with ladder-forming DNA, and furthermore, rescued completely by coinjection of Bcl-2 mRNA. Thus, overexpression of SAMDC in Xenopus embryos appeared to switch on apoptotic program, probably via inhibition of protein synthesis. Here, we briefly review our results together with those reported from other laboratories. After discussing the general importance of this newly discovered apoptotic program, we propose that the maternal program of apoptosis serves as a surveillance mechanism to eliminate metabolically severely-damaged cells and functions as a 'fail-safe' mechanism for normal development in Xenopus embryos.

More than 95% reversal of left-right axis induced by right-sided hypodermic microinjection of activin into Xenopus neurula embryos

In recent years, genes that show left-right (L-R) asymmetric expression patterns have been identified one after another in vertebrate gastrula-neurula embryos. However, we still have little information about when the irreversible L-R specification is established in vertebrate embryos. In this report, we show that almost 100% of the embryos develop to be L-R-inverted larvae after microinjection of activin molecules into the right lateral hypodermic space of Xenopus neurula embryos. After right-side injection of 10-250 pg activin protein, both early neurulae just after gastrulation movement (stage 13-14) and late neurulae just before neural tube closure (stage 17-18) showed almost 100% reversal of the heart and gut L-R axes. At higher doses of activin, more than 90% of the L-R-inverted embryos showed L-R reversal of both heart and gut. The survival ratio of the right-injected 4-day embryos was 90% on average. In the left-injected embryos, the occurrence of L-R inversion was less than 2% as observed in normal untreated siblings (1.7%). When the same amount of activin (1-50 pg) was microinjected into both sides of neurula embryos, the incidence of L-R inversion was reduced to 58%. The injection of activin along the dorsal midline in the trunk region also randomized the visceral L-R axis. Injection of activin into the right side changed normal left-handed expression of Xnr-1 to right-handed or bilateral expression. In contrast, left-handed expression of Pitx2 was switched to the right side by right activin injection. This is the first report of a method that achieves complete inversion of the visceral L-R axis by treatment of embryos at the neurula stage. Activin not only acts on the neurulae to cancel the original L-R specification up to the late neurula stage, but also rebuilds a new L-R axis whose left side coincides with the injection side. It is suggested that the left and right halves of neurulae have equal potential for L-R differentiation.

Activins and their receptors in female reproduction

Activins are growth and differentiation factors belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. They are dimeric proteins consisting of two inhibin β subunits. The structure of activins is highly conserved during vertebrate evolution. Activins signal through type I and type II receptor proteins, both of which are serine/threonine kinases. Subsequently, downstream signals such as Smad proteins are phosphorylated. Activins and their receptors are present in many tissues of mammals and lower vertebrates where they function as autocrine and (or) paracrine regulators of a variety of physiological processes, including reproduction. In the hypothalamus, activins are thought to stimulate the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In the pituitary, activins increase follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and up-regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor expression. In the ovaries of vertebrates, activins are expressed predominantly in the follicular layer of the oocyte where they regulate processes such as folliculogenesis, steroid hormone production, and oocyte maturation. During pregnancy, activin-A is also involved in the regulation of placental functions. This review provides a brief overview of activins and their receptors, including their structures, expression, and functions in the female reproductive axis as well as in the placenta. Special effort is made to compare activins and their receptors in different vertebrates.

Key words: activins, activin receptors, reproductive axis, placenta.

Role of activin and other peptide growth factors in body patterning in the early amphibian embryo

The amphibian body plan is established as the result of a series of inductive interactions. During early cleavage stages cells in the vegetal hemisphere induce overlying animal hemisphere cells to form mesoderm. The interaction represents the first major body-patterning event and is mediated by peptide growth factors. Various peptide growth factors have been implicated in mesoderm development, including most notably members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. Identification of the so-called "natural" inducer from among the several candidate peptide growth factors is being achieved by employing several experimental strategies, including the use of a tissue explant assay for testing potential inducers, cloning of marker genes as indices of early induction events, and microinjection of altered peptide growth factor receptors to disrupt normal embryonic inductions. Activin emerges as the most likely choice for assignment of the role of endogenous mesoderm inducer, because it currently best fulfills the rigorous set of criteria expected of such an important embryonic signaling molecule. Activin, however, may not act alone in mesoderm induction. Other peptide growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor might be involved, especially in the regional patterning of the mesoderm. In addition, several genes (e.g., Wnt and noggin), which are expressed after the mesoderm is initially induced, probably assist in further definition of the mesoderm pattern. Following mesoderm induction, the primary embryonic organizer tissue (first described in 1924 by Spemann) develops and contributes further to body patterning by its action as a neural inducer. Peptide growth factors such as activin may also be involved in the inductive event, either directly (by facilitating gene expression) or indirectly (by serving to constrain pathways).

Molecular cloning and expression of Xenopus p300/CBP

Transcriptional coactivators act as signal committers from transcriptional regulators to basal transcriptional machineries. We isolated the cDNA for p300/CBP, one of the most important transcriptional coactivators, of Xenopus. We also report its regulated expression, and the effects of microinjection of its truncated form. Xenopus p300/CBP (Xp300) encodes a 2483 amino acid protein which is highly homologous with human p300. Northern hybridization analyses indicated that Xp300 mRNA is stored in the oocyte, and is present throughout early embryogenesis of this species. In situ hybridization studies have revealed that Xp300 mRNA localization is ubiquitous throughout early embryogenesis, but that in later stages it is predominant in the neural region. Among adult tissues, Xp300 mRNA was clearly detected in some tissues, suggesting that Xp300 functions as a transcriptional regulator in various tissues. Microinjection of a carboxy-terminal-truncated form of Xp300 RNA into both cells of Xenopus two-blastomere stage embryos invoked the malformation of the embryos. The neural plates of Xp300 RNA-injected embryos were loose and the trunk area was heavily contracted. These results suggest that Xp300 is indispensable for normal development of the early embryo, especially in neural formation.

XTrR-I is a TGFbeta receptor and overexpression of truncated form of the receptor inhibits axis formation and dorsalising activity

We have previously cloned a type I serine/threonine kinase receptor from Xenopus, namely XTrR-I. We show here that XTrR-I is able to bind and mediate the activity of TGFbeta1, but is unable to mediate response to activin or BMP-4. We have made a truncated receptor construct that can act as a dominant negative mutant receptor, and this can block the activity of TGFbeta2 but not that of activin. Overexpression of either the full-length or truncated receptor has a drastic effect on mesoderm differentiation. The truncated receptor inhibits expression of notochord and muscle in mesodermalised animal caps, while the full-length receptor greatly increases the amount of notochord. In addition, the truncated receptor blocks the axis duplicating activity of both siamois and Xwnt8. We conclude that XTrR-I is involved in mediating a dorsalising activity important for mesoderm differentiation.

Identification of a novel type II activin receptor, type IIA-N, induced during the neural differentiation of murine P19 embryonal carcinoma cells

We have identified a novel type II activin receptor, called type IIA-N, the expression of which was induced during the neural differentiation of murine P19 embryonal carcinoma cells (P19 cells). P19 cells differentiate into several cell types dependent on the culture conditions. The induction of type IIA-N mRNA occurred predominantly in conjunction with neural differentiation. Sequence analysis of a cDNA clone for type IIA-N indicated that type IIA-N had a 24 bp insertion in the juxtamembrane region of the type IIA activin receptor suggesting that it is an alternative splicing product of the type IIA gene. Type IIA-N was also identified in human and Xenopus, and the amino acid sequences of three species were completely conserved. The expression of type IIA-N mRNA was specifically detected in neuroblastoma cells among several activin responsive cell lines. In vivo expression of type IIA-N mRNA was detected only in the neural tissues such as brain and spinal cord in adult mouse, by RT-PCR. Furthermore, its expression in developing Xenopus embryos was restricted to the neurula and later stages. These results suggest that the expression of type IIA-N is specific to neural cells and mediates neural differentiation-specific activin signaling.

Isolation and expression study of a maternally expressed novel Xenopus gene Xem1 encoding a putative evolutionarily conserved membrane protein

A novel Xenopus maternally expressed gene, Xem1, was isolated by differential display PCR and 5'-RACE. Xem1 coded for a putative transmembrane protein of 172 amino acids. Sequence analysis, including the clustering and reconstruction of ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags), revealed that homologs of Xem1 are widely distributed in eukaryotic phyla, suggesting that Xem1 is a member of evolutionarily conserved proteins. Expression of Xem1 mRNA occurred from the previtellogenic stage and its level increased during oogenesis, maintained throughout oocyte maturation to blastula stage and then decreased in post gastrula stages. In cleavage stage, Xem1 RNA was distributed uniformly, and in adult, occurred predominantly in ovary and testis. We assume that Xenopus Xem1 may have its function in gametogenesis and in early phase of embryogenesis, whose function may be related to transport mechanism of small molecular weight substances like metal ions, from analogy to the function of its homologs in other organisms.

Differential effects on Xenopus development of interference with type IIA and type IIB activin receptors

One candidate for a mesoderm-inducing factor in early amphibian development is activin, a member of the TGF beta family. Overexpression of a truncated form of an activin receptor Type IIB abolishes activin responsiveness and mesoderm formation in vivo. The Xenopus Type IIA activin receptor XSTK9 differs from the Type IIB receptor by 43 and 25% in extracellular and intracellular domains respectively, suggesting the possibility of different functions in vivo. In this paper, we compare the Type IIA receptor with the Type IIB to test such a possibility. Simple overexpression of the wild-type receptors reveals minimal differences, but experiments with dominant negative mutants of each receptor show qualitatively distinct effects. We show that while truncated (kinase domain-deleted) Type IIB receptors cause axial defects as previously described, truncated type IIA receptors cause formation of secondary axes, similar to those seen by overexpression of truncated receptors for BMP-4, another TGF beta family member. Furthermore, in animal cap assays, truncated type IIB receptors inhibit induction of all mesodermal markers tested, while truncated type IIA receptors suppress induction only of ventral markers; the anterior/dorsal marker goosecoid is virtually unaffected. The suppression of ventral development by the type IIA truncated receptor suggests either that the truncated Type IIA receptor interferes with ventral BMP pathways, or that activin signaling through the Type IIA receptor is necessary for ventral patterning.

Cloning and expression studies of cDNA for a novel Xenopus cadherin (XmN-cadherin), expressed maternally and later neural-specifically in embryogenesis

From a Xenopus tailbud cDNA library, we obtained the cDNA for a novel cadherin which was named as XmN-cadherin (Xenopus maternally expressed neural cadherin). The cDNA consisted of 3690 bp and encoded 922 amino acid residues. XmN-cadherin preserved five extracellular cadherin motifs, a single transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain, and was closely related by its sequence to R- and N-cadherin. In the adult frog, XmN-cadherin mRNA was detected strongly in ovary, testis, brain, eye, and kidney, and weakly in stomach, and intestine. In the egg, the mRNA occurred as a maternal mRNA at a relatively high level, and its level became very low by the neurula stage, then increased steadily thereafter. Dissection experiments with 8-cell stage and neurula stage embryos revealed that the maternally inherited mRNA was relatively uniformly distributed within the embryo. By a sharp contrast, whole mount in situ hybridization revealed that the zygotically expressed mRNA occurred almost exclusively in neural tissues such as brain, the anterior part of spinal cord, and the optic and otic vesicles. Thus, XmN-cadherin appears to have at least triple functions; it probably contributes in early embryos to cell-type non-specific cell adhesion, but in post-neurula embryos may be responsible for the development and/or maintenance of anterior neural tissues, and may be used in adult frog for the development and/or maintenance of neural, endodermal and reproductive organs.

Active complex formation of type I and type II activin and TGF beta receptors in vivo as studied by overexpression in zebrafish embryos

We have investigated the involvement of activin receptors and TGF beta type I receptor in zebrafish development. Overexpression of either full-length or a truncated form of mouse ActR-IIA interferes with the development. Different splice variants of mouse ActR-IIB have distinct effects; ActR-IIB4 induces abnormal embryos, whereas ActR-IIB2 does not. Activin and TGF beta type I receptors can induce axis duplications. Co-expression of ActR-IA or ActR-IB with the type II activin receptors results in a synergistic increase of the frequency of axis duplication. Moreover, ActR-IIB2 is synergistic with ActR-IA and ActR-IB, demonstrating that ActR-IIB2 can interact with the zebrafish ligand. Overexpression of TGF beta R-I with ActR-IIA or ActR IIB4 results in a synergistic increase in frequency of abnormal embryos, whereas in combination with ActR-IIB2 no such increase occurs.

Disruption of BMP signals in embryonic Xenopus ectoderm leads to direct neural induction

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which have been implicated in the patterning of mesoderm, are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. We have investigated the roles of Xenopus BMP-7 (XBMP-7) and BMP-4 (XBMP-4), and activin (another TGF-beta-related molecule) in early development by generating dominant-negative versions of these growth factors. Mutations were generated by altering the cleavage sites that are required for maturation of the active dimeric forms of XBMP-7, XBMP-4, and activin. These mutant constructs, designated Cm-XBMP-7, Cm-XBMP-4, and Cm-activin, result in polypeptides that allow for dimerization of the subunits, but are incapable of maturation. Expression of Cm-XBMP-7 and Cm-XBMP-4, but not Cm-activin, in the ventral marginal zone of the Xenopus embryo results in the development of a secondary axis, similar to that seen by ectopic expression of the truncated BMP receptor. These results suggest that the cleavage mutants interfere with BMP signaling during mesodermal patterning. We also found that expression of Cm-XBMP-7 or Cm-XBMP-4 in animal cap ectoderm directly induces neuroectoderm. The neural induction was specific for Cm-XBMP-7 and Cm-XBMP-4 because ectopic expression of Cm-activin or Vg-1 did not mimic the same phenotype. Molecular study of neural patterning by Cm-XBMP-7 and Cm-XBMP-4 revealed that only anterior neuroectodermal markers are expressed in response to these Cm-XBMPs. These results suggest that the BMPs are involved in the specification of ectoderm in Xenopus development, and that neural induction requires the removal of BMP signals in the ectoderm. We propose that neural induction occurs by a default mechanism, whereby the inhibition of BMP signaling is required for the conversion of ectoderm to neuroectoderm in the developing Xenopus embryo.

Properties of the dorsal activity found in the vegetal cortical cytoplasm of Xenopus eggs

The Xenopus egg contains a maternal dorsal determinant that is specifically localized to the vegetal cortex. We have previously shown that vegetal cortical cytoplasm can generate a full dorsal axis when it is injected into ventral vegetal blastomeres of a cleavage-stage embryo. In this study, we have defined further the properties of the dorsal activity. The cortical dorsal activity arises during oocyte maturation after germinal vesicle breakdown. When injected into the four extreme animal pole blastomeres of ultraviolet-ventralized 32-cell embryos, vegetal cortical cytoplasm partially rescued dorsal axial structures. As revealed by lineage tracing, these axial structures formed ectopically from the progeny of the cells that were injected. Injection of animal cortical cytoplasm had no effect. When mid-blastula (stage 8) animal caps from these injected embryos were isolated and cultured, both vegetal cortex-enriched and animal cortex-enriched animal caps produced only epidermis. Therefore vegetal cortex, on its own, is not a mesoderm inducer. Between stage 8 (blastula) and stage 10 (gastrula), a ventral mesoderm-inducing signal spreads from vegetal cells towards the animal pole. We tested whether this natural mesoderm-inducing factor interacts with the activity found in the vegetal cortex. Injection of vegetal cortex enhanced the formation of neural tissue and cement gland when animal caps were isolated at stage 10. When cultured from stage 8 in the presence of the ventral mesoderm-inducing fibroblast growth factor, animal caps enriched in vegetal cortex developed significantly more neural tissue and cement gland than ones enriched in animal cortex. These results indicate that the dorsal activity localized to the egg vegetal cortex alters the response of cells to mesoderm inducers.

A type 1 serine/threonine kinase receptor that can dorsalize mesoderm in Xenopus

We have cloned a type I serine/threonine kinase receptor, XTrR-I, from Xenopus. XTrR-I (Xenopus transforming growth factor beta-related receptor type I) is expressed in all regions of embryos throughout early development. Overexpression of this receptor does not affect ectoderm or endoderm but dorsalizes the mesoderm such that muscle appears in ventral mesoderm and notochord appears in lateral mesoderm normally fated to become muscle. In addition, overexpression of XTrR-I in UV-treated embryos is able to cause formation of a partial dorsal axis. These results suggest that XTrR-I encodes a receptor which responds in normal development to a transforming growth factor beta-like ligand so as to promote dorsalization. Its function would therefore be to direct mesodermalized tissue into muscle or notochord.

The extracts from rat submandibular glands induce the erythroid differentiation of K-562 cells

The extracts from rat submandibular glands (SMGs) induced erythroid differentiation of K-562. The activity was non-dialysable and abolished by heat, trypsin or 2-mercaptoethanol. Follistatin, which neutralizes the erythroid differentiation factor (EDF), had no effects on this activity. Analysis by gel chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-isoelectric focussing showed that the characteristics of this substance were different from those of erythropoietin, TGF-beta 1, EDF, stem cell factor and insulin-like growth factor-1. These results suggest the presence of a novel substance in rat SMGs which induces erythroid differentiation of K-562.

Activin disrupts epithelial branching morphogenesis in developing glandular organs of the mouse

We report that activin profoundly alters epithelial branching morphogenesis of embryonic mouse salivary gland, pancreas and kidney rudiments in culture, indicating that it may play a role as a morphogen during mammalian organogenesis. In developing pancreas and salivary gland rudiments, activin causes severe disruption of normal lobulation patterns of the epithelium whereas follistatin, an activin-binding protein, counteracts the effect of activin. In the kidney, activin delays branching of the ureter bud and reduces the number of secondary branches. TGF-beta induces a pattern of aberrant branching in the ureter bud derived epithelium distinct from that seen for activin. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization analyses indicate that these developing tissues express the mRNA transcripts for activin subunits, follistatin or activin receptors. Our results are suggestive of a potential role for the activin-follistatin system as an intrinsic regulator of epithelial branching morphogenesis during mammalian organogenesis.

Functional analysis of activins during mammalian development

Activins are dimeric (beta A beta A; beta B beta B; beta A beta B) members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. They are widely expressed during murine development, are highly conserved during vertebrate evolution, and may be involved in mesoderm induction and neurulation in Xenopus laevis and Oryzias latipes. To investigate the function of mammalian activins in vivo, we generated mice with mutations either in activin-beta A or in both activin-beta A and activin-beta B. Activin-beta A-deficient mice develop to term but die within 24 h of birth. They lack whiskers and lower incisors and have defects in their secondary palates, including cleft palate, demonstrating that activin-beta A must have a role during craniofacial development. Mice lacking both activin subunits show the defects of both individual mutants but no additional defects, indicating that there is no functional redundancy between these proteins during embryogenesis. In contrast to observations in lower vertebrates, zygotic expression of activins is not essential for mesoderm formation in mice.

mRNA encoding the translation initiation factor eIF-4E is expressed early in Xenopus embryogenesis

The translation initiation factor eIF-4E plays an important role in regulating the overall rate of translation in eukaryotic cells. To investigate the expression of eIF-4E itself, we characterized the eIF-4E mRNA expressed in Xenopus embryos. 5'-RACE was performed to determine the 5'-end of the mRNA and the result predicts isoforms differing at the amino-terminal end. Expression of the eIF-4E mRNA in Xenopus oocytes and embryos was examined by RT-PCR. Xenopus eIF-4E mRNA is produced during oogenesis and persists during the early stages of embryogenesis as a maternal mRNA.

Stimulation of circus movement by activin, bFGF and TGF-beta 2 in isolated animal cap cells of Xenopus laevis

Lobopodium is a hyaline cytoplasmic protrusion which rotates circumferencially around a cell. This movement is called circus movement, which is seen in dissociated cells of amphibian embryos. Relative abundance of the lobopodia-forming cells changes temporally and spatially within Xenopus embryos, reflecting stage-dependent difference of morphogenetic movements. The lobopodia-forming activity of dissociated animal cap cells was stimulated strongly by activin and bFGF, and weakly by TGF-beta 2. In addition, activin A was found to stimulate cellular attachment to the substratum when the cultivation lasted long. Thus, mesoderm-inducing growth factors stimulate lobopodia formation and cellular movements which may be necessary for gastrulation and neurulation in Xenopus early embryos.

mRNAs for activin receptors II and IIB are expressed in mouse oocytes and in the epiblast of pregastrula and gastrula stage mouse embryos

Activin is a potent inducer of mesoderm in frog embryos. We showed previously that in the mouse, activin beta A is expressed in the uterine decidua near the embryo before and during the first appearance of mesoderm (E4.5-E6.5). Here, using Northern blotting and in situ hybridization, we show that mouse oocytes, E6.5 and E7.5 embryos, and E6.5 and E7.5 decidua contain mRNAs for both activin receptors type II and IIB. The expression of activin receptor type IIB is particularly strong in embryonic ectoderm apparent at E5.5 and continuing through E8.5. These results support the hypothesis that activin derived from the decidua promotes development of mesoderm in the period E5.5-E6.5.

Molecular cloning of Xenopus HGF cDNA and its expression studies in Xenopus early embryogenesis

We isolated Xenopus HGF cDNA and examined its expression pattern in Xenopus early embryos and their dissected parts. Xenopus HGF consists of 710 amino acids and contains four kringle domains and serine protease-like structure just like mammalian HGF. Northern blot analysis showed that expression of Xenopus HGF mRNA starts at the late gastrula stage and its level increases during the period of later embryogenesis. Dissection experiments revealed that Xenopus HGF mRNA is expressed in the mesoderm region, especially in the ventral mesoderm, which for the most part gives rise to mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, HGF mRNA was expressed in response to activin A and basic FGF in blastula animal cap cells. Interestingly, a stronger activity was observed with bFGF than with activin and this finding corroborates the preferential expression of HGF mRNA in the ventral mesoderm. Based on these results, we conclude that the Xenopus homologue of HGF gene is transcribed during early embryogenesis preferentially in ventral mesodermal tissues, probably in response to the signals that induce ventral mesoderm.

Further analysis of cytoplasmic polyadenylation in Xenopus embryos and identification of embryonic cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding proteins

Early development in Xenopus laevis is programmed in part by maternally inherited mRNAs that are synthesized and stored in the growing oocyte. During oocyte maturation, several of these messages are translationally activated by poly(A) elongation, which in turn is regulated by two cis elements in the 3' untranslated region, the hexanucleotide AAUAAA and a cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) consisting of UUUUUAU or similar sequence. In the early embryo, a different set of maternal mRNAs is translationally activated. We have shown previously that one of these, C12, requires a CPE consisting of at least 12 uridine residues, in addition to the hexanucleotide, for its cytoplasmic polyadenylation and subsequent translation (R. Simon, J.-P. Tassan, and J.D. Richter, Genes Dev. 6:2580-2591, 1992). To assess whether this embryonic CPE functions in other maternal mRNAs, we have chosen Cl1 RNA, which is known to be polyadenylated during early embryogenesis (J. Paris, B. Osborne, A. Couturier, R. LeGuellec, and M. Philippe, Gene 72:169-176, 1988). Wild-type as well as mutated versions of Cl1 RNA were injected into fertilized eggs and were analyzed for cytoplasmic polyadenylation at times up to the gastrula stage. This RNA also required a poly(U) CPE for cytoplasmic polyadenylation in embryos, but in this case the CPE consisted of 18 uridine residues. In addition, the timing and extent of cytoplasmic poly(A) elongation during early embryogenesis were dependent upon the distance between the CPE and the hexanucleotide. Further, as was the case with Cl2 RNA, Cl1 RNA contains a large masking element that prevents premature cytoplasmic polyadenylation during oocyte maturation. To examine the factors that may be involved in the cytoplasmic polyadenylation of both C12 and C11 RNAs, we performed UV cross-linking experiments in egg extracts. Two proteins with sizes of ~36 and ~45 kDa interacted specifically with the CPEs of both RNAs, although they bound preferentially to the C12 CPE. The role that these proteins might play in cytoplasmic polyadenylation is discussed.

Further analysis of cytoplasmic polyadenylation in Xenopus embryos and identification of embryonic cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding proteins

Early development in Xenopus laevis is programmed in part by maternally inherited mRNAs that are synthesized and stored in the growing oocyte. During oocyte maturation, several of these messages are translationally activated by poly(A) elongation, which in turn is regulated by two cis elements in the 3' untranslated region, the hexanucleotide AAUAAA and a cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) consisting of UUUUUAU or similar sequence. In the early embryo, a different set of maternal mRNAs is translationally activated. We have shown previously that one of these, C12, requires a CPE consisting of at least 12 uridine residues, in addition to the hexanucleotide, for its cytoplasmic polyadenylation and subsequent translation (R. Simon, J.-P. Tassan, and J.D. Richter, Genes Dev. 6:2580-2591, 1992). To assess whether this embryonic CPE functions in other maternal mRNAs, we have chosen Cl1 RNA, which is known to be polyadenylated during early embryogenesis (J. Paris, B. Osborne, A. Couturier, R. LeGuellec, and M. Philippe, Gene 72:169-176, 1988). Wild-type as well as mutated versions of Cl1 RNA were injected into fertilized eggs and were analyzed for cytoplasmic polyadenylation at times up to the gastrula stage. This RNA also required a poly(U) CPE for cytoplasmic polyadenylation in embryos, but in this case the CPE consisted of 18 uridine residues. In addition, the timing and extent of cytoplasmic poly(A) elongation during early embryogenesis were dependent upon the distance between the CPE and the hexanucleotide. Further, as was the case with Cl2 RNA, Cl1 RNA contains a large masking element that prevents premature cytoplasmic polyadenylation during oocyte maturation. To examine the factors that may be involved in the cytoplasmic polyadenylation of both C12 and C11 RNAs, we performed UV cross-linking experiments in egg extracts. Two proteins with sizes of ~36 and ~45 kDa interacted specifically with the CPEs of both RNAs, although they bound preferentially to the C12 CPE. The role that these proteins might play in cytoplasmic polyadenylation is discussed.

Expression of activin subunits, activin receptors and follistatin in postimplantation mouse embryos suggests specific developmental functions for different activins

Using in situ hybridization we have studied the localization of the messenger RNAs encoding the inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, beta A, beta B), the activin-binding protein follistatin and activin receptors (IIA, IIB) in mouse embryos during postimplantation development. From 6.5- to 9.5-days post coitum (p.c.) activin beta A and beta B subunit expression was restricted to the decidua, while activin receptor type IIB messages were exclusively detected in the embryo. Expression of activin receptor type IIA was apparent in the embryo as early as 9.5 days p.c. In contrast, follistatin transcripts were present in both the decidua and the embryo at the early postimplantation stages. In particular, the primitive streak region, specific rhombomeres in the developing hindbrain, somites, paraxial mesoderm and parietal endoderm cells attached to the Reichert's membrane showed strong expression of follistatin. In 10.5- and 12.5-day embryos expression of the beta A subunit message was abundant in mesenchymal tissue, in particular in the developing face, the body wall, the heart, precartilage condensations in the limb and in the mesenchyme of structures that show both epithelial and mesenchymal components, including tissues of the embryonic digestive, respiratory and genital tracts. The distribution of beta B transcripts was quite different from that observed for beta A. beta B is strongly expressed in selected regions of the brain, in particular the fore- and hindbrain, and in the spinal cord. Specific hybridization signals were also present in the epithelium of the stomach and oesophagus. Common sites of beta A and beta B expression are blood vessels, intervertebral disc anlagen, mesenchymal condensations in the flank region and the gonad primordium. The latter organ is the only site in the embryo where the alpha subunit is expressed, and thus where inhibit activity may be present. During the period of organogenesis the sites of expression of activin receptors type IIA and IIB messenger RNA (mRNA) generally coincide with or are adjacent to the sites of beta subunit expression. Differences in the expression patterns of the receptor RNAs are the whisker follicles, where type IIA is expressed, and the metanephros and the forebrain where type IIB transcripts are present. Taken together, the present data suggest that follistatin, but not one of the known activin forms (A,B,AB) is involved in early postimplantation development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Vertebrate embryonic induction: mesodermal and neural patterning

Within the fertilized egg lies the information necessary to generate a diversity of cell types in the precise pattern of tissues and organs that comprises the vertebrate body. Seminal embryological experiments established the importance of induction, or cell interactions, in the formation of embryonic tissues and provided a foundation for molecular studies. In recent years, secreted gene products capable of inducing or patterning embryonic tissues have been identified. Despite these advances, embryologists remain challenged by fundamental questions: What are the endogenous inducing molecules? How is the action of an inducer spatially and temporally restricted? How does a limited group of inducers give rise to diversity of tissues? In this review, the focus is on the induction and patterning of mesodermal and neural tissues in the frog Xenopus laevis, with an emphasis on families of secreted molecules that appear to underlie inductive events throughout vertebrate embryogenesis.

A truncated bone morphogenetic protein receptor affects dorsal-ventral patterning in the early Xenopus embryo

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, have been implicated in bone formation and the regulation of early development. To better understand the roles of BMPs in Xenopus laevis embryogenesis, we have cloned a cDNA coding for a serine/threonine kinase receptor that binds BMP-2 and BMP-4. To analyze its function, we attempted to block the BMP signaling pathway in Xenopus embryos by using a dominant-negative mutant of the BMP receptor. When the mutant receptor lacking the putative serine/threonine kinase domain was expressed in ventral blastomeres of Xenopus embryos, these blastomeres were respecified to dorsal mesoderm, eventually resulting in the formation of a secondary body axis. These findings suggest that endogenous BMP-2 and BMP-4 are involved in the dorsal-ventral specification in the embryo and that ventral fate requires induction rather than resulting from an absence of dorsal specification.

Molecular cloning of cDNA for XTCAD-1, a novel Xenopus cadherin, and its expression in adult tissues and embryos of Xenopus laevis

We have isolated from a Xenopus tailbud cDNA library a novel cadherin cDNA, denoted as XTCAD-1, which contained an open reading frame including the entire coding region. XTCAD-1 codes for 714 amino acids (molecular mass: 96 kDa), which include five characteristic extracellular cadherin motifs, a single putative transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. In each domain, XTCAD-1 shared extensive homologies with other cadherins, and was related to EP-, E-, and P-cadherins more closely than to N- and M-cadherins. In adult Xenopus, XTCAD-1 mRNA was strongly expressed in intestine/stomach, kidney and skin, which are respectively derived from endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. In Xenopus embryogenesis, expression of XTCAD-1 mRNA was first detected at blastula stage, and the level of the expression increased gradually during gastrula stage, reached a peak at tailbud stage and then decreased slightly at tadpole stage. These results suggest that in Xenopus laevis XTCAD-1 plays an important role in the maintenance of adult tissues that contain epithelial cells abundantly and also in morphogenesis in early embryonic development.

Effect of local injection of activin A on bone formation in newborn rats

In order to examine the effect of activin A on the process of bone formation, activin A was injected onto the periosteum of parietal bone in newborn rats, and the effect was compared with that of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. The daily periosteal injection of activin A increased the thickness of both the periosteal and bone matrix layers in a dose- and time-dependent manner. A maximal effect was obtained with 5.0 micrograms/day activin A. The time course of the effect of activin A on the periosteal thickness was similar to that of TGF-beta 1. However, the effect of TGF-beta 1 was much more pronounced and was mainly on fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. The time course of the effect of activin A on the thickness of bone matrix layer was different from that of TGF-beta 1. The effect of TGF-beta 1 reached maximum (1.8-fold) within 3 days, whereas that of activin A did not develop until day 6 and reached maximum at the end of the 12-day injection period (1.4-fold). Histological examinations revealed that both TGF-beta 1 and activin A increased the number of alkaline phosphatase-positive osteoblastic cells. These results demonstrate that periosteal injection of activin A stimulates bone formation. In addition, although the possibility cannot be ruled out that the dramatic effect of TGF-beta 1 on the periosteal layer might have affected the delivery of TGF-beta 1 to the bone surface, these observations also suggest that the mode of action of activin A may be different from that of TGF-beta 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of activin receptor signaling promotes neuralization in Xenopus

Expression of a truncated activin type II receptor, which blocks signaling by activin, neuralizes explants of embryonic cells that would otherwise become epidermal cells. This neuralization is direct and does not require the presence of mesoderm. The induced neural tissue expresses general molecular markers of the central nervous system as well as an array of neural markers along the anteroposterior axis. In the context of the whole embryo, expression of this truncated activin receptor diverts prospective ectoderm and endoderm to a neural fate. We propose that inhibition of the activin type II receptor signaling causes the cells of Xenopus embryos to adopt a neural fate. These results, along with previous experiments performed in Drosophila, suggest that the formation of the nervous system in vertebrates and invertebrates occurs by a common strategy.

Isolation and developmental expression of the amphibian homolog of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3

Recent observations suggest that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors are involved in the control of embryogenesis. Several FGF receptor genes have been identified so far and their expression is differentially regulated. As part of a continuing effort to analyse the differential expression of FGF receptors and their potential role during amphibian development, we have isolated a Pleurodeles homolog of FGF receptor 3 (FGFR-3), which we designated PFR-3 because of its highest homology to human FGFR-3 (75% overall identity). PFR-3 is a maternally derived mRNA. While a low level of expression persists during the cleavage and gastrula stages, a significant increase in the mRNA was observed at the end of the gastrula stage. RNase protection analysis on dissected tissues showed that PFR-3 mRNA was mainly localized to the ectoderm at the early gastrula stage and then shifted to the embryonic neural tissues, whereas adult brain had decreased levels of PFR-3 mRNA expression. Consistent with the loss of FGF receptors during skeletal muscle terminal differentiation, PFR-3 as well as other FGF receptor mRNAs were undetectable in the adult skeletal muscle. However, highest levels of PFR-3 mRNA expression were found in the testis. In situ hybridization revealed strong expression in the germinal epithelium of the embryonic brain (especially the diencephalon and rhombencephalon) and neural tube, in the lens and the cranial ganglia. The epithelium of the developing gut, like the pharynx and esophagus, also prominently expressed PFR-3 mRNA. Other sites of expression were found in the liver and in the mesenchymal condensation sites of branchial arches.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Two distinct transmembrane serine/threonine kinases from Drosophila melanogaster form an activin receptor complex

A transmembrane protein serine/threonine kinase, Atr-I, that is structurally related to receptors for members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family has been cloned from Drosophila melanogaster. The spacing of extracellular cysteines and the cytoplasmic domain of Atr-I resemble most closely those of the recently described mammalian type I receptors for TGF-beta and activin. When expressed alone in test cells, Atr-I is unable to bind TGF-beta, activin, or bone morphogenetic protein 2. However, Atr-I binds activin efficiently when coexpressed with the distantly related Drosophila activin receptor Atr-II, with which it forms a heteromeric complex. Atr-I can also bind activin in concert with mammalian activin type II receptors. Two alternative forms of Atr-I have been identified that differ in an ectodomain region encompassing the cysteine box motif characteristic of receptors in this family. Comparison of Atr-I with other type I receptors reveals the presence of a characteristic 30-amino-acid domain immediately upstream of the kinase region in all these receptors. This domain, of unknown function, contains a repeated Gly-Ser sequence and is therefore referred to as the GS domain. Maternal Atr-I transcripts are abundant in the oocyte and widespread during embryo development and in the imaginal discs of the larva. The structural properties, binding specificity, and dependence on type II receptors define Atr-I as an activin type I receptor from D. melanogaster. These results indicate that the heteromeric kinase structure is a general feature of this receptor family.

Two distinct transmembrane serine/threonine kinases from Drosophila melanogaster form an activin receptor complex

A transmembrane protein serine/threonine kinase, Atr-I, that is structurally related to receptors for members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family has been cloned from Drosophila melanogaster. The spacing of extracellular cysteines and the cytoplasmic domain of Atr-I resemble most closely those of the recently described mammalian type I receptors for TGF-beta and activin. When expressed alone in test cells, Atr-I is unable to bind TGF-beta, activin, or bone morphogenetic protein 2. However, Atr-I binds activin efficiently when coexpressed with the distantly related Drosophila activin receptor Atr-II, with which it forms a heteromeric complex. Atr-I can also bind activin in concert with mammalian activin type II receptors. Two alternative forms of Atr-I have been identified that differ in an ectodomain region encompassing the cysteine box motif characteristic of receptors in this family. Comparison of Atr-I with other type I receptors reveals the presence of a characteristic 30-amino-acid domain immediately upstream of the kinase region in all these receptors. This domain, of unknown function, contains a repeated Gly-Ser sequence and is therefore referred to as the GS domain. Maternal Atr-I transcripts are abundant in the oocyte and widespread during embryo development and in the imaginal discs of the larva. The structural properties, binding specificity, and dependence on type II receptors define Atr-I as an activin type I receptor from D. melanogaster. These results indicate that the heteromeric kinase structure is a general feature of this receptor family.

Inducing factors in Xenopus early embryos

Recent results make it possible to postulate credible candidates for each of the known inducing signals that act to determine cell fate during Xenopus early development. Experiments on biological activity, expression patterns and inhibition of function suggest that Vg-1 and Wnt-11 may act as the primary mesoderm-inducing signals, FGF and activin may serve to relay their effects, and noggin may be a major component of the dorsalizing and neural-inducing signals from the organizer.

Suramin and heparin: aspecific inhibitors of mesoderm induction in the Xenopus laevis embryo

Xenopus embryos in solutions containing suramin show a dose-dependent decrease in the formation of dorsoanterior structures. Continuous treatment with 1 mM suramin produces embryos without mesodermal derivatives but with mesenchymal cells. Brief immersions of 20 min were used to determine the most sensitive stages and to establish dose-effect curves: a 20 min treatment with 3 mM suramin at stages 7-8.5 produces blastula-like embryos, never classified before, with atypical epidermis, cells full of yolk and mesenchyme in between. The lack of dorsal mesoderm was confirmed by an RNase protection assay with alpha-cardiac actin probe. Heparin also causes a reduction in dorsal structures, but its action is weaker and and there are also strong toxic effects such as superficial cell dissociation. The effect of heparin is dose-dependent and brief immersions show a very sensitive period around stage 6.5. The lowest DAI obtained is 1.5, an extremely microcephalic embryo with forked tail codes, a stocky notochord, and abnormally shaped, abundant neural tissue. Immunofluorescence shows that the distribution of fibronectin-containing fibrils is normal in heparin-treated embryos, whereas there are no such fibrils in suramin-treated embryos at control stage 12.

Cloning and characterization of a transmembrane serine kinase that acts as an activin type I receptor

Activin type II receptors are transmembrane protein-serine/threonine kinases. By using a reverse-transcription PCR assay to screen for protein kinase sequences, we isolated a cDNA clone, activin X1 receptor, from rat brain that encodes a 55-kDa transmembrane protein-serine kinase which is structurally related to other receptors in this kinase subfamily. The predicted protein consists of 509 amino acids, and the kinase domain shows 40% and 37% identity to the activin and transforming growth factor beta type II receptors, respectively. No activin-binding was observed when activin X1 receptor was expressed alone in COS-M6 cells; however, coexpression with type II activin receptors gave rise to a 68-kDa affinity-labeled complex in addition to the 85-kDa type II receptor complex. The size of this cross-linked band is consistent with the size of the type I activin receptor; furthermore, activin X1 receptor associated with type II receptors, as judged by coimmunoprecipitation with type II receptor antibodies. These data suggest that activin X1 receptor can serve as an activin type I receptor and that the diverse biological effects of activins may be mediated by a complex formed by the interaction of two transmembrane protein-serine kinases.

Suramin prevents transcription of dorsal marker genes in Xenopus laevis embryos, isolated dorsal blastopore lips and activin A induced animal caps

Suramin, a polyanionic compound which is known to interact with the receptors of growth factors inhibits the expression of dorsal marker genes in whole embryos and isolated dorsal blastopore lips. Suramin also prevents activin A induced dorsalization of animal cap explants from blastula stage embryos, but it simultaneously evokes a shift of the differentiation pattern from dorsal mesodermal structures (notochord, somites) to ventral mesodermal derivatives (mesothelium and erythroid precursor cells). The results are consistent with the assumption that the dorsal vegetal zone (Nieuwkoop center) primarily releases more general/ventral mesodermalization signals. They further suggest a dual role of activin A in early embryogenesis. While the maternal component may contribute to a more general/ventral type of induction, increasing concentrations of the zygotic component along with the activation of primary response genes may contribute to the dorsalization of the organizer.