Abstract
During vertebrate embryogenesis, precise regulation of gene expression is crucial for proper cell fate determination. Much of what we know about vertebrate development has been gleaned from experiments performed on embryos of the amphibian Xenopus laevis; this review will focus primarily on studies of this model organism. An early critical step during vertebrate development is the formation of the three primary germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—which emerge during the process of gastrulation. While much attention has been focused on the induction of mesoderm and endoderm, it has become clear that differentiation of the ectoderm involves more than the simple absence of inductive cues; rather, it additionally requires the inhibition of mesendoderm-promoting genes. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the various inhibitors of inappropriate gene expression in the presumptive ectoderm.
Highlights
PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biology, Queens College, The City University of New York, Queens, NY 11367, USA
While extensive work has identified many genes necessary for inducing cell fates during embryogenesis, it has become apparent that factors that prevent inappropriate germ layer expression are crucial for normal development
Utilizing data primarily from experiments performed in Xenopus laevis, this review will discuss the restriction of mesodermal and endodermal gene expression in the ectoderm of developing vertebrate embryos, and the multiple factors that regulate this process
Summary
Triploblastic organisms form three germ layers—endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm—which give rise to all tissue types in the adult organism with the exception of the germ cells. Elucidation of the precise regulation of the mechanisms that specify cell fate in development is of the utmost importance [1]. Understanding the regulation of cell fate specification has far-reaching implications for various fields of study, including pluripotency, cancer, and gene regulation. While extensive work has identified many genes necessary for inducing cell fates during embryogenesis, it has become apparent that factors that prevent inappropriate germ layer expression are crucial for normal development. Utilizing data primarily from experiments performed in Xenopus laevis, this review will discuss the restriction of mesodermal and endodermal gene expression in the ectoderm of developing vertebrate embryos, and the multiple factors that regulate this process
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