First published online May 11, 2006
Development 133, 1102e (2006)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
Bmp signals for cloacal development
Bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signalling is required for the induction
of ventral mesoderm derivatives (e.g. blood, kidney and vascular cells) during
early vertebrate development. However, its later effects on ventral mesoderm
differentiation are unknown. Now, David Kimelman and colleagues report that
sustained Bmp signalling is essential in zebrafish for development of the
cloaca, the common gut and urogenital opening (see
p. 2275). Using
transgenic zebrafish that express an inducible dominant-negative Bmp receptor,
the researchers show that inhibiting Bmp signalling at mid-gastrulation causes
blood and vascular precursors to expand into the extreme ventral embryonic
region where the cloaca normally forms. Cloacal patterning and function, they
report, depends on sustained Bmp signalling; this is partly mediated by the
Bmp-regulated T-box transcription factor HrT. Overall, the researchers
conclude that the function of Bmp signalling changes dramatically over time
with respect to its effects on ventral mesoderm development. They also suggest
that subtle alterations in Bmp signalling might cause some human cloacal
malformations.
Related articles in Development:
- Sustained Bmp signaling is essential for cloaca development in zebrafish
- Ujwal J. Pyati, Mark S. Cooper, Alan J. Davidson, Alexei Nechiporuk, and David Kimelman
Development 2006 133: 2275-2284.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
