Left–right asymmetric expression of the TGFβ-family member lefty in mouse embryos (original) (raw)

Nature volume 381, pages 151–155 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

EXAMPLES of lateral asymmetry are often found in vertebrates, such as the heart being on the left side, but the molecular mechanism governing the establishment of this left–right (L–R) handedness is unknown1. A diffusible morphogen may determine L–R polarity2, but a likely molecule has not so far been identified. Here we report on the gene lefty, a member of the transforming growth factor-β family, which may encode a morphogen for L–R determination. Lefty protein contains the cysteine-knot motif3 characteristic of this superfamily4,5 and is secreted as a processed form of relative molecular mass 25K–32K. Surprisingly, lefty is expressed in the left half of gastrulating mouse embryos. This asymmetric expression is very transient and occurs just before the first sign of lateral asymmetry appears. In the mouse mutants iv and inv, which cause situs inversus, the sites of lefty expression are inverted, indicating that lefty is downstream of iv and inv. These results suggest that lefty may be involved in setting up L–R asymmetry in the organ systems of mammals.

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Author notes

  1. Chikara Meno, Yukio Saijoh, Hideta Fujii & Hiroshi Hamada
    Present address: Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565, Japan
  2. Yutaka Toyoda
    Present address: Research center for Protozoan Molecular Immunology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inadacho-nishi 2-13, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113
    Chikara Meno, Yukio Saijoh, Hideta Fujii & Hiroshi Hamada
  2. Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565, Japan
    Chikara Meno, Yukio Saijoh, Hideta Fujii & Hiroshi Hamada
  3. MBL Co. Ltd, Ina Laboratory, 1063-103 Terasawagaoka, Ina, Nagano, 396, Japan
    Masako Ikeda
  4. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Kawada-cho 8-1, Sinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162, Japan
    Takahiko Yokoyama
  5. Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, Minami-ooya 11, Machida, Tokyo, 194, Japan
    Minesuke Yokoyama
  6. The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shiroganedai 4-6-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108, Japan
    Yutaka Toyoda

Authors

  1. Chikara Meno
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  2. Yukio Saijoh
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  3. Hideta Fujii
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  4. Masako Ikeda
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  5. Takahiko Yokoyama
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  6. Minesuke Yokoyama
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  7. Yutaka Toyoda
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  8. Hiroshi Hamada
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Meno, C., Saijoh, Y., Fujii, H. et al. Left–right asymmetric expression of the TGFβ-family member lefty in mouse embryos.Nature 381, 151–155 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/381151a0

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