The transcription factor Pitx2 positions the embryonic axis and regulates twinning

Embryonic polarity of invertebrates, amphibians and fish is specified largely by maternal determinants, which fixes cell fates early in development. In contrast, amniote embryos remain plastic and can form multiple individuals until gastrulation. How is their polarity determined? In the chick embryo, the earliest known factor is cVg1 (homologous to mammalian growth differentiation factor 1, GDF1), a transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signal expressed posteriorly before gastrulation. A molecular screen to find upstream regulators of cVg1 in normal embryos and in embryos manipulated to form twins now uncovers the transcription factor Pitx2 as a candidate. We show that Pitx2 is essential for axis formation, and that it acts as a direct regulator of cVg1 expression by binding to enhancers within neighbouring genes. Pitx2, Vg1/GDF1 and Nodal are also key actors in left–right asymmetry, suggesting that the same ancient polarity determination mechanism has been co-opted to different functions during evolution

International images and stereotypes : applying image theory and the stereotype content model to inter-group relationships among three Latin American countries

Both the Stereotype Content Model and Image Theory postulate that out-group stereotypes derive from perceptions of structural inter-group relationships. Using samples of Brazilian and Uruguayan university students, I found substantial evidence that supports the implications of each theory. Structural variables predicted the out-group stereotypes and images of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay confirming the theoretical framework presented by the theories. In the context of in-group perceptions, stereotypes and images participants held of their own countries demonstrated a general positivity bias. I also found support for the connection between perceptions of in-group structural variables and in-group stereotype content. In accordance with the Stereotype Content Model, I found that the perception of resources and social well-being combined to predict in-group competence. However, perceptions of resources, social well-being, and power predicted in-group warmth. This implies that high-status groups underestimate the potential threat posed by their power and resources in a manner that boosts their in-group warmth perception. This finding indicates a problematic distortion among in-group perceptions and offers insight to the possible origin of inter-group misunderstandings

Characterization and Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage, SFP10, Simultaneously Inhibiting both Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7

Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 are major food-borne pathogens causing serious illness. Phage SFP10, which revealed effective infection of both S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7, was isolated and characterized. SFP10 contains a 158-kb double-stranded DNA genome belonging to the Vi01 phage-like family Myoviridae. In vitro adsorption assays showed that the adsorption constant rates to both Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 were 2.50 × 10−8 ml/min and 1.91 × 10−8 ml/min, respectively. One-step growth analysis revealed that SFP10 has a shorter latent period (25 min) and a larger burst size (>200 PFU) than ordinary Myoviridae phages, suggesting effective host infection and lytic activity. However, differential development of resistance to SFP10 in S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 was observed; bacteriophage-insensitive mutant (BIM) frequencies of 1.19 × 10−2 CFU/ml for S. Typhimurium and 4.58 × 10−5 CFU/ml for E. coli O157:H7 were found, indicating that SFP10 should be active and stable for control of E. coli O157:H7 with minimal emergence of SFP10-resistant pathogens but may not be for S. Typhimurium. Specific mutation of rfaL in S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 revealed the O antigen as an SFP10 receptor for both bacteria. Genome sequence analysis of SFP10 and its comparative analysis with homologous Salmonella Vi01 and Shigella phiSboM-AG3 phages revealed that their tail fiber and tail spike genes share low sequence identity, implying that the genes are major host specificity determinants. This is the first report identifying specific infection and inhibition of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 by a single bacteriophage

Nodal cis-regulatory elements reveal epiblast and primitive endoderm heterogeneity in the peri-implantation mouse embryo

Nodal, a secreted factor known for its conserved functions in cell-fate specification and the establishment of embryonic axes, is also required in mammals to maintain the pluripotency of the epiblast, the tissue that gives rise to all fetal lineages. Although Nodal is expressed as early as E3.5 in the mouse embryo, its regulation and functions at pre- and peri-implantation stages are currently unknown. Sensitive reporter transgenes for two Nodal cis-regulatory regions, the PEE and the ASE, exhibit specific expression profiles before implantation. Mutant and inhibitor studies find them respectively regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Activin/Nodal signaling, and provide evidence for localized and heterogeneous activities of these pathways in the inner cell mass, the epiblast and the primitive endoderm. These studies also show that Nodal and its prime effector, FoxH1, are not essential to preimplantation Activin/Nodal signaling. Finally, a strong upregulation of the ASE reporter in implanting blastocysts correlates with a downregulation of the pluripotency factor Nanog in the maturing epiblast. This study uncovers conservation in the mouse blastocyst of Wnt/β-catenin and Activin/Nodal-dependent activities known to govern Nodal expression and the establishment of polarity in the blastula of other deuterostomes. Our results indicate that these pathways act early on to initiate distinct cell-specification processes in the ICM derivatives. Our data also suggest that the activity of the Activin/Nodal pathway is dampened by interactions with the molecular machinery of pluripotency until just before implantation, possibly delaying cell-fate decisions in the mouse embryo