Gene expression in dorsal halves of Apcdd1-depleted Xenopus laevis embryos

apcdd1, a gene mutated in hereditary hypotrychosis simplex, is a maternally expressed gene in Xenopus embryos, required for correct formation of anterior and dorsal structures. Initial data suggested Apcdd1 functions as zyogtic Wnt inhibitor. Here we indentify genes regulated by Apcdd1 in the organizer area of early gastrula stage embryos 4 cell stage embryos were injected marginally in each of the dorsal blastomeres with 10ng anti apcdd1 MO or control MO. apcdd1-depleted embryos were also labeled on the ventral side with Nile Blue crystals, because some of the dorsally-depleted embryos displayed a delay in dorsal lip formation. At stage 10.5, when the dorsal lip is clearly marked, the vitelline membrane was removed with tweezers and the dorsal half sectioned with a hair knife. Three batches of 10 embryos were prepared for each condition (control and depletion).