We found that the secreted serine protease xHtrA1, expressed in the early embryo and transcriptionally activated by FGF signals, promotes posterior development in mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos. xHtrA1 mRNA led to the induction of secondary tail-like structures, expansion of mesoderm, and formation of ectopic neurons in an FGF-dependent manner. An antisense morpholino oligonucleotide or a neutralizing antibody against xHtrA1 had the opposite effects. xHtrA1 activates FGF/ERK signaling and the transcription of FGF genes. We show that Xenopus Biglycan, Syndecan-4, and Glypican-4 are proteolytic targets of xHtrA1 and that heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate trigger posteriorization, mesoderm induction, and neuronal differentiation via the FGF signaling pathway. The results are consistent with a mechanism by which xHtrA1, through cleaving proteoglycans, releases cell-surface-bound FGF ligands and stimulates long-range FGF signaling.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2007.07.001 | DOI Listing |
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol
December 2024
Curtin University, Curtin Medical Research Institute (Bentley, WA, AUSTRALIA).
Physical activity improves myocardial structure, function and resilience via complex, incompletely defined mechanisms. We explored effects of 1-2 wks swim training on cardiac and systemic phenotype in young male C57Bl/6 mice. Two wks forced swimming (90 min twice daily) resulted in cardiac hypertrophy (22% increase in heart:body weight, P<0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment
January 2025
Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
The calvarial bones of the infant skull are linked by transient fibrous joints known as sutures and fontanelles, which are essential for skull compression during birth and expansion during postnatal brain growth. Genetic conditions caused by pathogenic variants in FGFR2, such as Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon syndromes, result in calvarial deformities due to premature suture fusion and a persistently open anterior fontanelle (AF). In this study we investigated how Fgfr2 regulates AF closure by leveraging mouse genetics and single-cell transcriptomics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxics
November 2024
The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI), North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Durham, NC 27707, USA.
Crude oil naphtha fraction C9 alkylbenzenes consist of trimethylbenzenes, ethyltoluenes, cumene, and n-propylbenzene. The major fraction of C9 alkylbenzenes is ethyltoluenes (ETs) consisting of three isomers: 2-ethyltoluene (2-ET), 3-ethyltoluene (3-ET), and 4-ethyltoluene (4-ET). Occupational and environmental exposure to ETs can occur via inhalation and ingestion and cause several health problems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
December 2024
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
The human heart regenerates slowly through life, but how new cells are generated is mostly unknown. The atrioventricular junction (AVj) has been indicated as a potential stem cell niche region. Little is known about the protein composition of the human AVj.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomolecules
December 2024
Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and their cognate receptors, FGFRs, play pivotal roles in a plethora of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, tissue repair, and metabolic homeostasis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of FGF-FGFR signaling pathways while highlighting their complex regulatory mechanisms and interconnections with other signaling networks. Further, we briefly discuss the FGFs involvement in developmental, metabolic, and housekeeping functions.
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