Section on Vertebrate Development

Head: Thomas D. Sargent

We are investigating the mechanisms controlling vertebrate epidermal differentiation, focusing on Distal-less-3 (Dlx3), a homeodomain transcription factor. Knockout, ectopic expression, and other experiments with this regulator, using transgenic mice and Xenopus embryos, have shown that Dlx3 activates terminal differentiation of epidermal cells. Identification of Dlx3 target genes is a current priority. We are also interested in EphA4, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in neural crest, mesoderm, epidermis, and other tissues in vertebrate embryos. We have shown that EphA4 signaling affects cell-cell adhesion, using the Xenopus embryo as an assay system, and we are investigating the signal transduction mechanisms associated with this potential cellular function.

Resources

• Employee Listing
• E-Mail the Lab: sargentt@mail.nih.gov
• SVD Home Page