Recombinant Human Nodal protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Nodal also known as NODAL protein is a growth factor belonging to the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily with a molecular mass of approximately 44 kDa. This protein acts mechanically by transmitting signals through receptors on the cell surface initiating intracellular responses critical for embryonic development. Nodal expression occurs mostly in early embryonic tissues including the primitive streak and visceral endoderm. In adults it shows limited expression yet you might find it in some cancer cells. Nodal antibodies can be used for research to study its expression patterns and roles in various contexts.

Biological function summary

Nodal plays an important role in processes such as mesoderm formation and left-right body axis specification. It is part of a signaling complex that includes co-factors like Cripto and receptor heteromers composed of Activin receptors and SMAD proteins. These interactions initiate cascades influencing cell fate decisions impacting diverse biological activities like cell proliferation and migration. Antinodal mechanisms act to modulate these signals ensuring proper gradient formation necessary for precise developmental outcomes.

Pathways

Nodal integrally fits within the TGF-β signaling pathway and the Wnt signaling pathway. It closely interacts with proteins such as Lefty and PITX2. The TGF-β pathway involves multiple SMAD proteins directing Nodal signals toward gene expression changes important for embryonic patterning. Meanwhile interactions with the Wnt pathway provide cross-talk opportunities that can affect a cell's destiny highlighting Nodal's broad regulatory capacity in embryogenesis.

Nodal is implicated in conditions like cancer and congenital abnormalities. In cancer aberrant Nodal expression connects with increased tumor aggressiveness and metastasis often through pathways involving proteins such as E-cadherin and N-cadherin which are important for cell adhesion and motility. In congenital disorders mutations or dysregulation in Nodal signaling can result in defects like holoprosencephaly often tied to the Hedgehog signaling pathway illustrating its critical developmental contributions.