Transgenic Xenopus embryos from sperm nuclear transplantations reveal FGF signaling requirements during gastrulation

K. L. Kroll and E. Amaya

Development 122:3173-3183 (1996) (Full Article, 380K)

Abstract

We have developed a simple approach for large-scale transgenesis in Xenopus laevis embryos and

have used this method to identify in vivo requirements for FGF signaling during gastrulation.

Plasmids are introduced into decondensed sperm nuclei in vitro using restriction enzyme-mediated

integration (REMI). Transplantation of these nuclei into unfertilized eggs yields hundreds of

normal, diploid embryos per day which develop to advanced stages and express integrated

plasmids nonmosaically. Transgenic expression of a dominant negative mutant of the FGF

receptor (XFD) after the mid-blastula stage uncouples mesoderm induction, which is normal,

from maintenance of mesodermal markers, which is lost during gastrulation. By contrast embryos

expressing XFD contain well-patterned nervous systems despite a putative role for FGF in neural

induction.

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