Zebrafish ΔNp63 is a direct target of bmp signaling and encodes a transcriptional repressor blocking neural specification in the ventral ectoderm

Bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) promote ventral specification in both the mesoderm and the ectoderm of vertebrate embryos. Here we identify zebrafish DeltaNp63, encoding an isoform of the p53-related protein p63, as an ectoderm-specific direct transcriptional target of Bmp signaling. DeltaNp63 itself acts as a transcriptional repressor required for ventral specification in the ectoderm of gastrulating embryos. Loss of DeltaNp63 function leads to reduced nonneural ectoderm followed by defects in epidermal development during skin and fin bud formation. In contrast, forced DeltaNp63 expression blocks neural development and promotes nonneural development, even in the absence of Bmp signaling. Together, DeltaNp63 fulfills the criteria to be the neural repressor postulated by the "neural default model.".