Distinct expression and shared activities of members of the hedgehog gene family of Xenopus laevis

摘要: The hedgehog family of signaling proteins is associated with a variety spatial patterning activities in insects and vertebrates. Here we show that new members this isolated from Xenopus laevis are expressed embryonically patterns suggestive roles the ectoderm, nervous system somites. Banded throughout neural plate subsequently both dermatome Cephalic anterior ectoderm endodermal structures, sonic which parallel those other species. Injection RNAs encoding hedgehogs induces ectopic cement gland formation embryos. Similar to reported noggin follistatin, share common ability induce glands animal cap explants. However, naive appear capable acting independently follistatin since, although all three induced by activin explants, X-hh expression does not or follistatin.