In vitro control of organogenesis and fundamental embryonic form by the peptide growth factor activin

Abstract

The discovery that peptide growth factors are capable of embryonic induction has led to rapid growth in our understanding of this process. One of these factors, activin, can control mesoderm formation in Xenopus animal caps in a dose-dependent manner. Activin may also participate in kidney and heart organogenesis in combination with other factors. Further, animal caps treated with a high concentration of activin clearly show organizer actions, which are closely related to the fundamental body plan along the anteroposterior axis. These in vitro experiments will serve as an excellent model system for analysis of cell differentiation, organogenesis, and morphogenesis at the molecular level.