A mouse homologue of FAST-1 transduces TGFβ superfamily signals and is expressed during early embryogenesis

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Abstract

The transcription factor FAST-1 has recently been shown to play a key role in the specification of mesoderm by TGFβ superfamily signals in the early Xenopus embryo. We have cloned Fast1, a mouse homologue of Xenopus FAST-1, and characterized its expression during embryogenesis and function in activin/TGFβ signal transduction. In vitro, Fast1 associates with Smads in response to an activin/TGFβ signal to form a complex that recognizes the Xenopus activin responsive element (ARE) targeted by Xenopus FAST-1. In intact cells, introduction of Fast1 confers activin/TGFβ regulation of an ARE-luciferase reporter. In embryos, Fast1 is expressed predominantly throughout the epiblast before gastrulation and declines as development progresses. We propose that mouse Fast1, like Xenopus FAST-1, mediates TGFβ superfamily signals specifying developmental fate during early embryogenesis.

Keywords

Transcription factor FAST-1
TGFβ superfamily
Xenopus
Embryogenesis

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