Vestigial-like 4 Regulates Neurogenesis and Neural Crest Formation During <i>Xenopus</i> Development.

ABSTRACT: VESTIGIAL-LIKE proteins constitute a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that act as cofactors in regulating gene expression through their binding to TEAD transcription factors. Among the four members of this family in vertebrates, VESTIGIAL-LIKE 4 has emerged as a tumor suppressor that competes with YAP in binding TEADs, thus inhibiting the HIPPO pathway downstream of YAP. Nevertheless, very few studies have addressed its function during early vertebrate development. Here, we used gain- and loss-of-function strategies to investigate the role of vestigial-like 4 during Xenopus laevis development. Our data show that vestigial-like 4 is a key regulator of neurogenesis and neural crest formation. In embryos depleted of vestigial-like 4, neurogenesis is severely impaired, and ne

SUBMITTER: Thiebaud P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12922143 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature