Fig. 5From: Retinoic acid promotes expression of germline-specific genes in chicken blastoderm cells by stimulating Smad1/5 phosphorylation in a feeder-free culture systemActivation of Smad1/5 phosphorylation enhanced the RA-induced germ cell differentiation of cBCs. a Western blots were performed after 12 h of RA treatment, followed by 2 h of Dorso or SB431542 (Activator of Smad1/5 phosphorylation) in the absence of RA. Similar results were obtained in two separate experiments. The mRNA expression levels of Stra8, Dazl and Cvh were measured after Dorso or SB431542 treatment in the absence (b) or presence (c) of RA. Data are representative of results in three independent experiments, values are the mean ± SEM (n = 3) and each condition is normalized to β-actin abundance. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01Back to article page