Fish are like flies are like frogs: conservation of dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms

Bioessays. 1997 Apr;19(4):281-4. doi: 10.1002/bies.950190404.

Abstract

Genetic analysis of Drosophila has shown that a morphogenetic gradient of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta family member dpp patterns the embryonic dorsal-ventral axis. Molecular and embryological evidence from Xenopus has strongly suggested a similar role for Bmp-4, the dpp homolog, in patterning the dorsal-ventral axis of chordates. A recent report has now identified mutations in two genes, dino and swirl, that disrupt dorsal-ventral patterning in the zebrafish Danio rerio. Characterization of these mutations parallels findings from Drosophila, thus establishing a genetic framework for the analysis of dorsal-ventral patterning in a vertebrate.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / ultrastructure
  • Embryonic Induction / physiology
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genes
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genes, Regulator
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / physiology
  • Morphogenesis / physiology*
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Xenopus laevis / embryology*
  • Xenopus laevis / genetics
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • bmp4 protein, Xenopus
  • bmp4 protein, zebrafish
  • dpp protein, Drosophila