Abstract
We report the structure, chromosomal localization and expression features of Stra3, a novel mouse gene whose expression is upregulated by retinoic acid in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. The Stra3 cDNA sequence, which encodes a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily, corresponds to, but extends more 3' than the recently published lefty sequence (Meno et al., 1996, Nature 381:151-155). The Stra3/lefty protein, which exhibits characteristics of secreted proteins, is synthesized as a precursor of 42 kDa and secreted after cleavage, suggesting that it may function as an intercellular signaling molecule. There are four exons in the Stra3/lefty gene and its 5' flanking region contains, among other putative regulatory elements, an unusual retinoid response element consisting of two half sites arranged as a palindrome, with an 8 base pairs spacer. We also show that Stra3/lefty is ectopically induced in the endodermal and ectodermal layers following in vivo administration of retinoic acid to gastrulating mouse embryos.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Chromosome Mapping
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Cloning, Molecular
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Ectoderm / physiology
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Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
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Embryonic and Fetal Development
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Endoderm / physiology
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Exons / genetics
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Gastrula / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
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Genes, Reporter / genetics
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In Situ Hybridization
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Introns / genetics
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Left-Right Determination Factors
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Male
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phylogeny
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Protein Precursors / metabolism
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Proteins / chemistry*
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Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Signal Transduction / physiology
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Testis / chemistry
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Testis / embryology
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / chemistry*
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
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Tretinoin / pharmacology*
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Up-Regulation / physiology
Substances
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Left-Right Determination Factors
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Lefty1 protein, mouse
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Membrane Proteins
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Protein Precursors
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Proteins
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Receptors, Retinoic Acid
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Tretinoin