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XB-ART-9239
Int J Dev Biol 2001 Jan 01;451:237-40.
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Dickkopf1 and the Spemann-Mangold head organizer.

Niehrs C , Kazanskaya O , Wu W , Glinka A .


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Work in amphibians indicates that inhibition of Wnt and BMP signals is essential for head development and that head induction by the Spemann-Mangold organizer may be mediated by secreted Wnt antagonists. Wnts are potent posteriorizing factors and antagonize the Spemann-Mangold organizer. Dickkopf1 (dkk1) encodes a secreted effector expressed in head organizing centers of Xenopus, mouse and zebrafish. It acts as a Wnt inhibitor and is able together with BMP inhibitors to induce the formation of ectopic embryonic heads in Xenopus. It anteriorizes both mesendoderm and neuroectoderm, promoting prechordal plate and forebrain fates. Injection of inhibitory antibodies leads to microcephaly and cyclopia. Dkk1 thus is an essential mediator of the vertebrate head organizer.

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Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: bmpr1a cer1 dkk1 frzb gsc hhex lefty1 nog prdm1 tbx2
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