Gdf3 is required for robust nodal signaling during germ layer formation and left-right patterning

Jose L. Pelliccia, Granton A. Jindal, Rebecca D. Burdine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vertebrate embryonic patterning depends on signaling from Nodal, a TGFb superfamily member. There are three Nodal orthologs in zebrafish; southpaw directs left-right asymmetries, while squint and cyclops function earlier to pattern mesendoderm. TGFb member Vg1 is implicated in mesoderm formation but the role of the zebrafish ortholog, Growth differentiation factor 3 (Gdf3), has not been fully explored. We show that zygotic expression of gdf3 is dispensable for embryonic development, while maternally deposited gdf3 is required for mesendoderm formation and dorsal-ventral patterning. We further show that Gdf3 can affect left- right patterning at multiple stages, including proper development of regional cell morphology in Kupffer’s vesicle and the establishment of southpaw expression in the lateral plate mesoderm. Collectively, our data indicate that gdf3 is critical for robust Nodal signaling at multiple stages in zebrafish embryonic development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere28635
JournaleLife
Volume6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gdf3 is required for robust nodal signaling during germ layer formation and left-right patterning'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this