High impact information on NODAL

• We also show that FGF signalling is required for primitive streak formation, in cooperation with Nodal and Chordin [1].
• We show that Nr1, a chick nodal homologue, is expressed in the nascent prechordal mesoderm and we provide evidence that Nodal signalling can cooperate with Shh to induce the epiblast precursors to a floor-plate fate [2].
• BMP2 is a positive regulator of Nodal signaling during left-right axis formation in the chicken embryo [3].
• We propose a novel model of left-right axis formation, which involves BMP as a positive regulator of Nodal signaling in the chick embryo [3].
• We implanted BMP2 and Noggin-expressing cells into the left lateral plate and paraxial mesoderm and observed a strong upregulation of Nodal and its target genes Pitx2 and Nkx3 [3].

Biological context of NODAL

• Treatment of cultured chick embryos with lindane, which diminishes gap junctional communication, frequently unbiased normal LR asymmetry of Shh and Nodal gene expression, causing the normally left-sided program to be recapitulated symmetrically on the right side of the embryo [4].

Anatomical context of NODAL

• We now show that the Wnt and PKA signaling pathways control left-right determination in the chick embryo through Nodal [5].
• A Wnt/beta-catenin pathway controls Nodal expression in and around Hensen's node, without affecting the upstream regulators Sonic hedgehog, Car and Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 [5].

Regulatory relationships of NODAL

• A model of left-right axis formation in the chick involves inhibition of bone morphogenetic proteins by the antagonist Car as a mechanism of upregulating Nodal in the left lateral plate mesoderm [3].

Other interactions of NODAL

• Both the adhesion protein N-cadherin and PKI (an endogenous protein kinase A inhibitor) are localized to the right side of the node and may contribute to restrict Nodal activation by Wnt signaling and PKA to the left side of the node [5].

References