Gene Regulatory Network Interactions in Sea Urchin Endomesoderm Induction
Author Information
Author(s): Sethi Aditya J, Angerer Robert C, Angerer Lynne M
Primary Institution: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
Hypothesis
The study investigates the regulatory interactions underlying endomesoderm induction in sea urchin embryos.
Conclusion
ActivinB is essential for the specification of endomesoderm progenitors in sea urchin embryos.
Supporting Evidence
- ActivinB is required for normal endo16 expression in both ectopic and endogenous locations.
- Pmar1 misexpression is sufficient to confer properties of the micromere lineage to all blastomeres.
- Embryos lacking ActivinB show delayed gastrulation and reduced endo16 expression.
- ActivinB signaling is necessary for the activation of the E-EM/En-GRN in early embryonic development.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special signal called ActivinB helps sea urchin embryos develop into specific cell types needed for their growth.
Methodology
The researchers ectopically activated the primary mesenchyme cell-GRN and analyzed the expression of various genes in response to this activation.
Limitations
The exact molecular identity of some signals and their specific contributions to endomesoderm specification remain unclear.
Participant Demographics
Sea urchin embryos (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) were used in the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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