ISSN:
1432-041X
Keywords:
Mesoderm induction
;
Activin A
;
Erythroid differentiation factor
;
Xenopus laevis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Recently the mesoderm-inducing effects of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of proteins have been widely examined. In an attemt to elucidate the functions of these proteins, porcine inhibin A and activin A (erythroid differentiation factor; EDF) were examined. Treatment of explants with activin A led to differentiation of mesodermal derivatives such as mesenchyme, notochord, blood cells and muscle, but inhibin A had a much lesser effect. The mesodermal differentiation induced by activin A was also comfirmed by analyses using a polyclonal antibody against muscle myosin. By indirect immunofluorescence analysis, the differentiation of muscle blocks was observed in the activin-A-treated explants, whereas no differentiation was observed in inhibin-A-treated and control explants. These findings confirm that this protein of the TGF-β family has mesoderm-inducing ability.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00383771
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