High impact information on nodal1

• At mid-blastula two signaling centers are present on the dorsal side: The prospective neuroectoderm expresses bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists, and the future dorsal endoderm secretes Nodal-related mesoderm-inducing factors [1].
• Here we show that the cerberus protein functions as a multivalent growth-factor antagonist in the extracellular space: it binds to Nodal, BMP and Wnt proteins via independent sites [2].
• We also demonstrate that Fgf signaling relays mesoderm induction activity of Nodal signaling and Spr2 is involved in this signal relay process [3].
• Activin/Nodal signaling is essential for germ-layer formation and axial patterning during embryogenesis [4].
• We report that FoxD3 function in the Xenopus gastrula is essential for dorsal mesodermal development and for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer [5].

Biological context of nodal1

• Taken together, these results provide evidence for a complex genetic network in which bon functions both downstream of, and possibly in parallel to, Nodal signaling to regulate neural patterning via the modulation of mesendodermal gene expression [6].
• We find that prechordal plate and notochord are strongly reduced in maternal-zygotic sur mutants, whereas other mesendodermal structures are present - a less severe phenotype than that caused by complete loss of Nodal signaling [7].
• Loss-of-function studies using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides demonstrate that the Frd proteins regulate Wnt signal transduction in a context-dependent manner and may be involved in Nodal signaling [8].

Anatomical context of nodal1

• Therefore, FoxD3 is required for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer and this function is essential for dorsal mesoderm formation [5].
• Using an oocyte expression system we show direct interaction between the mature Derrière ligand and members of both the Nodal and BMP families [9].
• In addition, VegT activates Sox17alpha in the presence of cycloheximide or a Nodal antagonist, suggesting that Sox17alpha is an immediate-early target of VegT in vegetal blastomeres [10].
• The initiation of Xfd-12' expression coincides with the induction of mesendoderm by Nodal-related growth factors at the late blastula stage [11].

Associations of nodal1 with chemical compounds

• Right-side injection of Nodal protein, or polyethyleneimine-based gene transfer of Xnr-1 mRNA in the right LPM induces Xnr-1 and pitx2 in the same side and fully (more than 90%) reverses situs of the internal organs [12].

Other interactions of nodal1

• Injection of specific inhibitors of VegT or Nodal resulted in a loss of Sox17alpha expression in the gastrula [10].

References