Abstract
X-Delta-1, a Xenopus homologue of the Drosophila Delta gene, is expressed in the early embryonic nervous system in scattered cells that appear to be the prospective primary neurons. Ectopic X-Delta-1 activity inhibits production of primary neurons and interference with endogenous X-Delta-1 activity results in overproduction of primary neurons. These results indicate that the X-Delta-1 protein mediates lateral inhibition delivered by prospective neurons to adjacent cells, and that commitment to a neural fate in vertebrates is regulated by Delta-Notch signalling as in Drosophila.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Differentiation
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Drosophila / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Genes, Insect
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In Situ Hybridization
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology
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Neurons / cytology*
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Notch
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Signal Transduction
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Tubulin / genetics
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Xenopus / embryology
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Xenopus / genetics*
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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N protein, Drosophila
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Receptors, Notch
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Tubulin
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delta protein