Teratology 1991 Apr 01;434:341-53. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420430409.

Morphogenetic and molecular correlates of teratogenesis in the amphibian embryo.

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In attempting to develop a system to study molecular mechanisms of teratogenesis, examination of the effects of a teratogen (dimethyl sulfoxide) on both molecular and morphological aspects of embryonic development in the amphibian Xenopus laevis has been conducted. Characteristic morphological effects, which occur during the period from 7 to 16 hours after fertilization (i.e., gastrulation) are noted. Delays in gastrulation are accompanied by changes in the regulation of transcription of several genes known to be active during gastrulation in normal development. Later morphological effects are also observed, and these probably arise as a consequence of the changes occurring during gastrulation. Thus, molecular responses to a teratogen have been detected, and a correlation between molecular and morphological responses to a teratogen is observed. These findings represent the first demonstration of the effects of a teratogen on the transcription of specific genes, and invite speculation that one or more molecular events mediate teratogenesis. They further suggest that the amphibian system may be useful for studying early molecular responses to teratogens.

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