Ectodermal (Animal Cap) Layer Separations in Xenopus laevis
This protocol was adapted from “Microdissection,” Chapter 10, in Early Development of Xenopus laevis by Hazel L. Sive, Robert M. Grainger, and Richard M. Harland. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA, 2000.INTRODUCTION
In Xenopus laevis, the blastula animal cap comprises two morphologically distinct cell layers, an outer monolayer termed the epithelial layer, which consists of tightly adherent pigmented cells, and an inner layer several cells thick termed the sensorial layer, which consists of loosely adherent cells. It is possible to isolate cell layers and to test their developmental potential and response to induction. This protocol describes how to separate the cell layers most easily, that is, by dissecting an intact Xenopus embryo.
