A homolog of Subtilisin-like Proprotein Convertase 7 is essential to anterior neural development in Xenopus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Subtilisin-like Proprotein Convertase 7 (SPC7) is a member of the subtilisin/kexin family of pro-protein convertases. It cleaves many pro-proteins to release their active proteins, including members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of signaling molecules. Other SPCs are known to be required during embryonic development but corresponding data regarding SPC7 have not been reported previously.

Methodology/principal findings

We demonstrated that Xenopus SPC7 (SPC7) was expressed predominantly in the developing brain and eye, throughout the neural plate initially, then more specifically in the lens and retina primordia as development progressed. Since no prior functional information has been reported for SPC7, we used gain- and loss-of-function experiment

SUBMITTER: Senturker S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3386266 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature