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Generating asymmetries in the early vertebrate embryo: the role of the Cerberus-like family

2009; University of the Basque Country; Volume: 53; Issue: 8-9-10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1387/ijdb.072297jb

1696-3547

José António Belo, Ana Catarina Silva, Cristina Borges, Mário Filipe, Margaret Bento, Lisa Gonalves, Marta Vitorino, Ana Marisa Salgueiro, Vera Texeira, Ana Teresa Tavares, Sara Marques,

Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer

One fundamental aspect of vertebrate embryonic development is the formation of the body plan.For this process, asymmetries have to be generated during early stages of development along the three main body axes: Anterior-Posterior, Dorso-Ventral and Left-Right.We have been studying the role of a novel class of molecules, the Cerberus/Dan gene family.These are dedicated secreted antagonists of three major signaling pathways: Nodal, BMP and Wnt.Our studies contribute to the current view that the fine tuning of signaling is controlled by a set of inhibitory molecules rather than by activators.In this context, the Cerberus-like molecules emerge as key players in the regulation and generation of asymmetries in the early vertebrate embryo.