| First Author | Esguerra CV | Year | 2007 |
| Journal | Development | Volume | 134 |
| Issue | 24 | Pages | 4381-93 |
| PubMed ID | 18039968 | Mgi Jnum | J:140377 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3813431 | Doi | 10.1242/dev.000026 |
| Citation | Esguerra CV, et al. (2007) Ttrap is an essential modulator of Smad3-dependent Nodal signaling during zebrafish gastrulation and left-right axis determination. Development 134(24):4381-93 |
| abstractText | During vertebrate development, signaling by the TGFbeta ligand Nodal is critical for mesoderm formation, correct positioning of the anterior-posterior axis, normal anterior and midline patterning, and left-right asymmetric development of the heart and viscera. Stimulation of Alk4/EGF-CFC receptor complexes by Nodal activates Smad2/3, leading to left-sided expression of target genes that promote asymmetric placement of certain internal organs. We identified Ttrap as a novel Alk4- and Smad3-interacting protein that controls gastrulation movements and left-right axis determination in zebrafish. Morpholino-mediated Ttrap knockdown increases Smad3 activity, leading to ectopic expression of snail1a and apparent repression of e-cadherin, thereby perturbing cell movements during convergent extension, epiboly and node formation. Thus, although the role of Smad proteins in mediating Nodal signaling is well-documented, the functional characterization of Ttrap provides insight into a novel Smad partner that plays an essential role in the fine-tuning of this signal transduction cascade. |
