The goal of this research is to identify the molecular basis of primary germ layer formation in vertebrate embryos. This fundamental cell fate decision is only partially understood. Recently, it has been discovered that in Xenopus, mesoderm and endoderm cell fates are specified by maternal transcription factors. In this study, we focus on what determines the ectoderm germ layer. We have identified ectoderm-inducing activities in pools of maternal cDNAs, and we will use expression cloning to identify these genes. Subsequently we will characterize the expression of these genes and determine their roles in development through loss-of-function experiments. Understanding the formation of the ectoderm will be a major step forward in understanding cell fate determination in early development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD040716-02
Application #
6530581
Study Section
Cell Development and Function Integrated Review Group (CDF)
Program Officer
Klein, Steven
Project Start
2002-02-15
Project End
Budget Start
2002-02-15
Budget End
2003-02-14
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$43,712
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229
Houston, Douglas W; Wylie, Christopher (2005) Maternal Xenopus Zic2 negatively regulates Nodal-related gene expression during anteroposterior patterning. Development 132:4845-55
Houston, Douglas W; Wylie, Christopher (2003) The Xenopus LIM-homeodomain protein Xlim5 regulates the differential adhesion properties of early ectoderm cells. Development 130:2695-704
Houston, Douglas W; Wylie, Chris (2002) Cloning and expression of Xenopus Lrp5 and Lrp6 genes. Mech Dev 117:337-42
Houston, Douglas W; Kofron, Matt; Resnik, Ernesto et al. (2002) Repression of organizer genes in dorsal and ventral Xenopus cells mediated by maternal XTcf3. Development 129:4015-25