Journal article
Cortical rotation and messenger RNA localization in Xenopus axis formation
Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Developmental biology, Vol.1(3), pp.371-388
05/2012
DOI: 10.1002/wdev.29
PMID: 23801488
Abstract
In Xenopus eggs, fertilization initiates a rotational movement of the cortex relative to the cytoplasm, resulting in the transport of critical determinants to the future dorsal side of the embryo. Cortical rotation is mediated by microtubules, resulting in activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and expression of organizer genes on the dorsal side of the blastula. Similar cytoplasmic localizations resulting in β-catenin activation occur in many chordate embryos, suggesting a deeply conserved mechanism for patterning early embryos. This review summarizes the experimental evidence for the molecular basis of this model, focusing on recent maternal loss-of-function studies that shed light on two main unanswered questions: (1) what regulates microtubule assembly during cortical rotation and (2) how is Wnt/β-catenin signaling activated dorsally? In addition, as these processes depend on vegetally localized molecules in the oocyte, the mechanisms of RNA localization and novel roles for localized RNAs in axis formation are discussed. The work reviewed here provides a beginning framework for understanding the coupling of asymmetry in oogenesis with the establishment of asymmetry in the embryo.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cortical rotation and messenger RNA localization in Xenopus axis formation
- Creators
- Douglas W Houston - Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. douglas-houston@uiowa.edu
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Developmental biology, Vol.1(3), pp.371-388
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1002/wdev.29
- PMID
- 23801488
- ISSN
- 1759-7684
- eISSN
- 1759-7692
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2012
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9983991980802771
Metrics
21 Record Views