Xenopus Bicaudal-C is required for the differentiation of the amphibian pronephros.

ABSTRACT: The RNA-binding molecule Bicaudal-C regulates embryonic development in Drosophila and Xenopus. Interestingly, mouse mutants of Bicaudal-C do not show early patterning defects, but instead develop polycystic kidney disease (PKD). To further investigate the molecular mechanism of Bicaudal-C in kidney development, we analyzed its function in the developing amphibian pronephros. Bicaudal-C mRNA was present in the epithelial structures of the Xenopus pronephros, the tubules and the duct, but not the glomus. Inhibition of the translation of endogenous Bicaudal-C with antisense morpholino oligomers (xBic-C-MO) led to a PKD-like phenotype in Xenopus. Embryos lacking Bicaudal-C developed generalized edemas and dilated pronephric tubules and ducts. This phenotype was caused by impaired differentiati

SUBMITTER: Tran U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1976305 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature