Which feature characterizes β-catenin's role in amphibian embryos?
A) Its overexpression in a particular region of the blastula induces a second axis of embryo formation.
B) It acts as an inductive signal by phosphorylating other proteins that enter the nucleus and act as transcription factors.
C) When its mRNA transcripts are increased by injecting them into the egg, gastrulation does not occur.
D) It interacts with signals from cells in the animal hemisphere to set up signaling pathways.
E) It is necessary but not sufficient for formation of the primary embryonic organizer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

β-catenin's overexpression in a particular region of the blastula induces a second axis of embryo formation. This is known as the Wnt signaling pathway and it plays a critical role in the establishment of the embryonic axes. In amphibian embryos, β-catenin is responsible for organizing the dorsal axis.

Which Feature Characterizes β-Catenin's Role in Amphibian Embryos