Control of axis formation in Xenopus by the NF-KAPPA-B-I-KAPPA-B system

TY - JOUR

T1 - Control of axis formation in Xenopus by the NF-KAPPA-B-I-KAPPA-B system

AU - Tannahill, D

AU - Wardle, Fiona C

PY - 1995

Y1 - 1995

N2 - We describe the isolation and analysis in Xenopus of Xrel2, a novel member of the NF-kappa B/Rel protein family that remains to be described in other vertebrates. We show that Xrel2 is expressed throughout development but with higher levels in pre-gastrula embryos. Like other NF-kappa B/Rel proteins, Xrel2 protein is able to bind DNA at a kappa B-Motif. Ectopic expression of Xrel2 disrupts normal morphogenesis at the early gastrula stages suggesting that the NF-kappa B/Rel family have developmental functions at stages earlier than previously thought. We also show that the Xrel2 over-expression phenotype can be rescued by co-expression of I kappa B-alpha and that ectopic expression of I kappa B-alpha or I kappa B-gamma alone has no effect on development. Finally. we show that Xrel2 does not divert animal caps from an ectodermal to a mesodermal cell fate. Overall, these results suggest that the NF-kappa B/Rel family does have key functions in early vertebrate development, however, there is not a simple conservation of the Drosophila dorsal pathway.

AB - We describe the isolation and analysis in Xenopus of Xrel2, a novel member of the NF-kappa B/Rel protein family that remains to be described in other vertebrates. We show that Xrel2 is expressed throughout development but with higher levels in pre-gastrula embryos. Like other NF-kappa B/Rel proteins, Xrel2 protein is able to bind DNA at a kappa B-Motif. Ectopic expression of Xrel2 disrupts normal morphogenesis at the early gastrula stages suggesting that the NF-kappa B/Rel family have developmental functions at stages earlier than previously thought. We also show that the Xrel2 over-expression phenotype can be rescued by co-expression of I kappa B-alpha and that ectopic expression of I kappa B-alpha or I kappa B-gamma alone has no effect on development. Finally. we show that Xrel2 does not divert animal caps from an ectodermal to a mesodermal cell fate. Overall, these results suggest that the NF-kappa B/Rel family does have key functions in early vertebrate development, however, there is not a simple conservation of the Drosophila dorsal pathway.

M3 - Article

VL - 39

SP - 549

EP - 558

JO - International Journal of Developmental Biology

JF - International Journal of Developmental Biology

IS - 4

ER -