De novo truncating variants in fibrosin-like 1 (FBRSL1), a member of the AUTS2 gene family, cause a disability syndrome, including organ malformations such as heart defects. Here, we use Xenopus laevis to investigate whether Fbrsl1 plays a role in heart development. Xenopus laevis fbrsl1 is expressed in tissues relevant for heart development, and morpholino-mediated knockdown of Fbrsl1 results in severely hypoplastic hearts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDirected cell migration requires a local fine-tuning of Rho GTPase activity to control protrusion formation, cell-cell contraction, and turnover of cellular adhesions. The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) TRIO is ideally suited to control RhoGTPase activity because it combines two distinct catalytic domains to control Rac1 and RhoA activity in one molecule. However, at the cellular level, this molecular feature also requires a tight spatiotemporal control of TRIO activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpecialized chromatin-binding proteins are required for DNA-based processes during development. We recently established PWWP2A as a direct histone variant H2A.Z interactor involved in mitosis and craniofacial development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF. The transfer of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon is an established treatment for replacing a dysfunctional Achilles tendon. .
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