Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is key to many developmental processes, including early regionalisation of the ectoderm. The neural crest is induced here by a combination of BMP and Wnt signals from nearby tissues with many secreted factors contributing to its initial specification at the neural plate border. Gremlin 1 (Grem1) is a secreted BMP antagonist expressed in the neural crest in Xenopus laevis but its function here is unknown. As well as binding BMPs, Grem1 has been shown to interact with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), a family of cell surface macromolecules that regulate a diverse array of signalling molecules by affecting their availability and mode of action. This study describes the impact of HSPGs on the function of Grem1 in neural crest induction. It shows for the first time that Grem1 is required for neural crest development in a two-step process comprising an early HSPG-independent, followed by a late HSPG-dependent phase.

中文翻译：

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硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖调节神经c诱导过程中的BMP信号传导。

骨形态发生蛋白（BMP）信号传导是许多发育过程的关键，包括外胚层的早期区域化。在这里，神经by是由附近组织的BMP和Wnt信号与许多分泌因子的组合引起的，这些分泌因子有助于其在神经板边界的初始形态。Gremlin 1（Grem1）是在非洲爪蟾的神经c中表达的一种分泌型BMP拮抗剂，但其功能尚不清楚。除结合BMP一样，Grem1还显示与硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（HSPG）相互作用，这是一种细胞表面大分子家族，可通过影响信号分子的可用性和作用方式来调节多种信号分子。这项研究描述了HSPGs对Grem1在神经c诱导中的功能的影响。