The secreted serine protease xHtrA1 stimulates long-range FGF signaling in the early Xenopus embryo.
Dev Cell
; 13(2): 226-41, 2007 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17681134
We found that the secreted serine protease xHtrA1, expressed in the early embryo and transcriptionally activated by FGF signals, promotes posterior development in mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos. xHtrA1 mRNA led to the induction of secondary tail-like structures, expansion of mesoderm, and formation of ectopic neurons in an FGF-dependent manner. An antisense morpholino oligonucleotide or a neutralizing antibody against xHtrA1 had the opposite effects. xHtrA1 activates FGF/ERK signaling and the transcription of FGF genes. We show that Xenopus Biglycan, Syndecan-4, and Glypican-4 are proteolytic targets of xHtrA1 and that heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate trigger posteriorization, mesoderm induction, and neuronal differentiation via the FGF signaling pathway. The results are consistent with a mechanism by which xHtrA1, through cleaving proteoglycans, releases cell-surface-bound FGF ligands and stimulates long-range FGF signaling.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Xenopus laevis
/
Serine Endopeptidases
/
Signal Transduction
/
Xenopus Proteins
/
Embryo, Nonmammalian
/
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Language:
En
Journal:
Dev Cell
Journal subject:
EMBRIOLOGIA
Year:
2007
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: