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Activation of Ras-ERK pathway by Fgf8 and its downregulation by Sprouty2 for the isthmus organizing activity
In the previous studies, we showed that strong Fgf8 signaling activates the Ras-ERK pathway to induce cerebellum. Here, we show importance of negative regulation of this pathway. 'Prolonged' activation of ERK by misexpression of _Fgf8b_ and dominant-negative _Sprouty2_ (_dnSprouty2_) did not change the fate of the mesencephalic alar plate. Downregulation of ERK activity using a MEK inhibitor, U0126, or by tetracycline dependent Tet-off system after co-expression of _Fgf8b_ and _dnSprouty2_, forced the mesencephalic alar plate to differentiate into cerebellum. We then paid attention to Mkp3. After misexpression of _dnMkp3_ and _Fgf8b_, slight downregulation of ERK activity occurred, which may be due to Sprouty2, and the mesencephalon transformed to the isthmus-like structure. The results indicate that ERK must be once upregulated and then be downregulated for cerebellar differentiation, and that differential ERK activity level established by negative regulators receiving Fgf8 signal may determine regional specificity of mesencephalon and metencephalon
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