CER1
CER1 (cerberus 1, DAN family BMP antagonist) is a secreted cytokine of the cysteine knot superfamily that may contribute to anterior neural induction and somite formation in embryogenesis. It is also known as Cerberus or DAND4. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CER1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CER1 is a secreted cytokine that may play a role in anterior neural induction and somite formation during embryogenesis, in part through a BMP-inhibitory mechanism. It can also regulate Nodal signalling during gastrulation, as well as the formation and patterning of the primitive streak. These activities place the CER1 protein among the extracellular factors that shape early developmental signalling.
The CER1 gene encodes a member of the cysteine knot superfamily, a group characterised by nine conserved cysteines and a cysteine knot region. The protein belongs to the DAN family. The cerberus-related cytokines, together with Dan and DRM/Gremlin, form a group of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists that can bind directly to BMPs and inhibit their activity. The mouse ortholog is Cer1.
The gene symbol and name derive from the Xenopus laevis cerberus homolog, as reflected in the earlier HGNC names, which refer to a cerberus 1 cysteine knot superfamily homolog. DAND4 is a previous symbol for the same gene. Researchers studying BMP and Nodal signalling, or the DAN family of antagonists, will encounter CER1 as a reference extracellular regulator.
CER1 may contribute to anterior neural induction and somite formation, making it a relevant factor for studies of early embryogenesis.
As a DAN family member that can bind BMPs directly and inhibit their activity, CER1 is relevant to BMP antagonist research.
CER1 can regulate Nodal signalling during gastrulation, supporting work on how this pathway is controlled in the embryo.
CER1 can influence formation and patterning of the primitive streak, a focus for studies of body axis development.
CER1 is a secreted cytokine that may play a role in anterior neural induction and somite formation during embryogenesis, in part by inhibiting BMP activity. It can also regulate Nodal signalling during gastrulation and the formation and patterning of the primitive streak.
CER1 is the HGNC symbol for cerberus 1, DAN family BMP antagonist. The protein is called Cerberus in UniProt, and DAND4 is a previous gene symbol. Earlier names described it as a Xenopus laevis cerberus 1 homolog of the cysteine knot superfamily.
CER1 belongs to the DAN family within the cysteine knot superfamily, alongside Dan and DRM/Gremlin, which are BMP antagonists. Its name reflects a Xenopus laevis homolog, and a mouse ortholog, Cer1, exists. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Targets with similarly styled names at Assay Genie; note that these are distinct from the DAN family BMP antagonist CER1.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O95813; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.