How cells acquire, transfer and interpret positional information to shape the developing embryo is a fundamental embryological question. Positional information is involved in important developmental processes including embryonic induction, differential competence of the responding tissue, and cytoplasmic specification. The long term goals of this research are to understand the role of hormonal signaling in establishing positional information in the early embryo and physiologic function in the adult. One class of information transfer is mediated by morphogens, diffusible chemicals responsible for causing morphogenesis. An interest in identifying novel morphogens led the investigators to design a strategy where candidate nuclear hormone receptor homologs were first isolated from a developmental system and then used to identify the corresponding ligand. Xenopus was chosen as a model because it affords an ideal combination of embryological and biochemical approaches to study embryonic signaling while remaining an appropriate model for higher vertebrates. The hypothesis is that identifying new signaling systems will provide important insights into positional specification during embryonic development. The investigators previously isolated and characterized a novel nuclear receptor activated by a class of endogenous substituted alkyl benzoates. These compounds comprise a novel class of hormone receptor ligand and are related the B-complex vitamins p-aminobenzoic acid and folic acid suggesting a further link between development and nutrition. This BXR (benzoate 'X' receptor) represents a hitherto unknown hormonal signaling pathway.
They aim to fully characterize the BXR signaling pathway during Xenopus development and subsequently extend these results to mouse and human. They will exploit the unique accessibility of the early Xenopus embryo to experimental manipulations to I) test the effects of locally increasing or decreasing BXR signaling during development, 2) Identify the true endogenous ligand for BXR in Xenopus embryos and bovine serum, 3) determine the temporal and spatial localization of the BXR ligand during early development, and 4) Isolate and characterize mammalian homologs of BXR. Aberrant signaling processes, especially those related to cellular identity, are particularly relevant to cancer and its treatment. Identification of developmental signaling molecules and their receptors could lead to the identification of novel morphogens, teratogens, and hormones. Moreover, because nearly all hormones regulate cell growth and differentiation they and their antagonists are natural candidates in the treatment of human disease, especially cancers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM060572-03
Application #
6498728
Study Section
Cell Development and Function Integrated Review Group (CDF)
Program Officer
Zatz, Marion M
Project Start
2000-02-01
Project End
2005-01-31
Budget Start
2002-02-01
Budget End
2003-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$234,698
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
Hellsten, Uffe; Harland, Richard M; Gilchrist, Michael J et al. (2010) The genome of the Western clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis. Science 328:633-6
Zhou, Changcheng; Verma, Suman; Blumberg, Bruce (2009) The steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), beyond xenobiotic metabolism. Nucl Recept Signal 7:e001
Iguchi, T; Watanabe, H; Ohta, Y et al. (2008) Developmental effects: oestrogen-induced vaginal changes and organotin-induced adipogenesis. Int J Androl 31:263-8
Ichikawa, T; Horie-Inoue, K; Ikeda, K et al. (2007) Vitamin K2 induces phosphorylation of protein kinase A and expression of novel target genes in osteoblastic cells. J Mol Endocrinol 39:239-47
Grun, Felix; Blumberg, Bruce (2007) Perturbed nuclear receptor signaling by environmental obesogens as emerging factors in the obesity crisis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 8:161-71
Zhou, Changcheng; Poulton, Emma-Jane; Grun, Felix et al. (2007) The dietary isothiocyanate sulforaphane is an antagonist of the human steroid and xenobiotic nuclear receptor. Mol Pharmacol 71:220-9
Zhou, Changcheng; Assem, Mahfoud; Tay, Jessica C et al. (2006) Steroid and xenobiotic receptor and vitamin D receptor crosstalk mediates CYP24 expression and drug-induced osteomalacia. J Clin Invest 116:1703-12
Zhou, Changcheng; Tabb, Michelle M; Nelson, Edward L et al. (2006) Mutual repression between steroid and xenobiotic receptor and NF-kappaB signaling pathways links xenobiotic metabolism and inflammation. J Clin Invest 116:2280-2289
Grun, Felix; Watanabe, Hajime; Zamanian, Zamaneh et al. (2006) Endocrine-disrupting organotin compounds are potent inducers of adipogenesis in vertebrates. Mol Endocrinol 20:2141-55
Arima, Kayo; Shiotsugu, Jason; Niu, Rong et al. (2005) Global analysis of RAR-responsive genes in the Xenopus neurula using cDNA microarrays. Dev Dyn 232:414-31

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