A novel POZ/zinc finger protein, champignon, interferes with gastrulation movements in Xenopus

• Published in: Developmental dynamics 2001-05, Vol.221 (1), p.14-25
• Main Authors: Goto, Toshiyasu, Hasegawa, Kouichi, Kinoshita, Tsutomu, Kubota, Hiroshi Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; champignon; convergent extension; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Embryo, Nonmammalian - embryology; Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology; Embryo, Nonmammalian - ultrastructure; Female; Gastrula - drug effects; Gastrula - physiology; gastrulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; Microinjections; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Molecular Sequence Data; Movement; Mutagenesis - physiology; POZ domain; Repressor Proteins; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; transcription factor; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - pharmacology; Xenopus; Xenopus laevis; Xenopus Proteins; zinc finger domain; Zinc Fingers - genetics
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.1121

We have cloned a novel krüppel‐like transcription factor of Xenopus that encodes POZ/zinc finger protein by expression cloning. Overexpression of mRNA resulted in interference with gastrulation. Because the injected embryo looks like a mushroom in appearance at the neurula stage, we have named this gene champignon (cpg). In cpg‐injected embryos, the blastopore appeared normally, but regressed thereafter. The injected embryos then elongated along the primary dorsoventral axis during the tailbud stage. Histologic sections and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that cpg had no effect on the cell differentiation. The animal pole region of cpg‐injected embryos was thick during the gastrula stage, and mesodermal cells remained in the marginal zone. Furthermore, neither Keller‐sandwich explants nor activin‐treated animal cap explants excised from cpg‐injected embryos elongated. These results suggest that cpg acts as a potent inhibitor of cell migration and cell intercalation during gastrulation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.