Notch activity induces Nodal expression and mediates the establishment of left–right asymmetry in vertebrate embryos
Abstract
Left-sided expression of Nodal in the lateral plate mesoderm is a conserved feature necessary for the establishment of normal left–right asymmetry during vertebrate embryogenesis. By using gain- and loss-of-function experiments in zebrafish and mouse, we show that the activity of the Notch pathway is necessary and sufficient forNodal expression around the node, and for proper left–right determination. We identify Notch-responsive elements in theNodal promoter, and unveil a direct relationship between Notch activity and Nodal expression around the node. Our findings provide evidence for a mechanism involving Notch activity that translates an initial symmetry-breaking event into asymmetric gene expression.
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Footnotes
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↵3 These authors contributed equally to this work.
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↵4 Corresponding author.
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E-MAIL belmonte{at}salk.edu; FAX (858) 453-2573.
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Article published online ahead of print. Article and publication date are at http://www.genesdev.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/gad.1084403.
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- Received February 13, 2003.
- Accepted March 28, 2003.
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
