Abstract
The zebrafish one-eyed pinhead (oep) mutation disrupts embryonic development, resulting in cyclopia and defects in endoderm, prechordal plate, and ventral neuroectoderm formation. We report the molecular isolation of oep using a positional cloning approach. The oep gene encodes a novel EGF-related protein with similarity to the EGF-CFC proteins cripto, cryptic, and FRL-1. Wild-type oep protein contains a functional signal sequence and is membrane-associated. Following ubiquitous maternal and zygotic expression, highest levels of oep mRNA are found in the gastrula margin and in axial structures and forebrain. Widespread misexpression of both membrane-attached and secreted forms of oep rescues prechordal plate and forebrain development in mutant embryos but does not lead to the ectopic induction of these cell types in wild-type fish. These results establish an essential but permissive role for an EGF-related ligand during vertebrate gastrulation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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COS Cells
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Cell Membrane / chemistry
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Central Nervous System / embryology
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Cloning, Molecular / methods*
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Endoderm
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Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics
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Gastrula / chemistry
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Gastrula / physiology*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Genes / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / analysis
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
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Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
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Ligands
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutation
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Protein Sorting Signals / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Transcription Factors / analysis
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Transcription Factors / genetics*
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Transcription Factors / physiology
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Zebrafish / embryology*
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Zebrafish / genetics*
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Zebrafish Proteins*
Substances
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Ligands
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Protein Sorting Signals
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RNA, Messenger
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Transcription Factors
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Zebrafish Proteins
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tdgf1 protein, zebrafish
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Epidermal Growth Factor
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF041440
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GENBANK/AF041441