Okabayashi Koji, Asashima Makoto
SORST, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2003 Oct;13(5):502-7. doi: 10.1016/s0959-437x(03)00111-4.
Formation of three germ layers is the most important event in early vertebrate development. Animal cap assays can be used to reproduce the in vivo induction of amphibian tissues in order to investigate the differentiation processes that occur in normal embryonic development. Activin treatment strongly and dose-dependently induces various types of mesodermal and endodermal tissue in cultured animal caps. Beating heart, pronephros, pancreas and cartilage can be induced by microsurgical manipulation and simultaneous treatment with activin and other factors. These in vitro induction systems will be helpful for elucidating the mechanisms of tissue induction and organ formation in vertebrate development.
三胚层的形成是脊椎动物早期发育中最重要的事件。动物帽实验可用于重现两栖动物组织的体内诱导过程，以研究正常胚胎发育中发生的分化过程。激活素处理能强烈且剂量依赖性地诱导培养的动物帽中产生各种类型的中胚层和内胚层组织。通过显微手术操作以及同时用激活素和其他因子处理，可以诱导出跳动的心脏、前肾、胰腺和软骨。这些体外诱导系统将有助于阐明脊椎动物发育过程中组织诱导和器官形成的机制。
