Spemann's organizer and the self-regulation of embryonic fields.

ABSTRACT: Embryos and developing organs have the remarkable ability of self-regenerating after experimental manipulations. In the Xenopus blastula half-embryos can regenerate the missing part, producing identical twins. Studies on the molecular nature of Spemann's organizer have revealed that self-regulation results from the battle between two signaling centers under reciprocal transcriptional control. Long-range communication between the dorsal and ventral sides is mediated by the action of growth factor antagonists - such as the BMP antagonist Chordin - that regulate the flow of BMPs within the embryonic morphogenetic field. BMPs secreted by the dorsal Spemann organizer tissue are released by metalloproteinases of the Tolloid family, which cleave Chordin at a distance of where they were produced.

SUBMITTER: De Robertis EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2803698 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature