Primary neurogenesis in Xenopus embryos regulated by a homologue of the Drosophila neurogenic gene Delta

Nature. 1995 Jun 29;375(6534):761-6. doi: 10.1038/375761a0.

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

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Central Nervous System / embryology*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genes, Insect
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tubulin / genetics
  • Xenopus / embryology
  • Xenopus / genetics*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • N protein, Drosophila
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Tubulin
  • delta protein

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L42229