Anterior-posterior axis formation in Xenopus laevis

Jansen, H.J. (2009)

Doctoral Thesis

The research described in this thesis mainly focussed on making and refining a model that describes axial patterning during gastrulation in the frog Xenopus laevis. Chapter 2 and 3 describe that axial information arises in the mesoderm and subsequently in the neurectoderm. Also is shown that this information, under influence of the Spemann organiser and cellular movements, is translated from a time sequence into a space sequence. The function of the Spemann organiser, important for AP patterning is neural induction. In chapter 4 is described that retinoids, important for axial patterning and formed in the mesoderm, have a patterning effect on neurectoderm. An important conclusion in this chapter is that retinoids are candidates for transfer of axial information from mesoderm to neurectoderm and can, in this way, coordinate the expression of axial information between mesoderm and neurectoderm. In chapter 5 a study is described where the transcriptional targets of Hoxc6 or Antennapedia in the frog Xenopus laevis and the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster are compared. From this comparison conclusions can be drawn about the processes that are important for the function of Hoxc6/Antp. From this study could be concluded that celldivision, cellmigration, and suppresion of head formation are processes that are important for the function of Hoxc6/Antp.

• AP patterning
• Development
• Gastrulation
• Xenopus laevis

• All authors: Jansen, H.J.
• Supervisor: Durston, A.J.
• Co-supervisor: Wacker, S.A.
• Committee: Meinhardt, H.; Hooykaas, P.J.J.; Spaink, H.P.; Richardson, M.K.; Verbeek, F.J.; Dechamps, J.T.G.; Mummery, C.L.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2009-03-25
• Court: LEI Universiteit Leiden