Insulin growth factors (IGFs) are important determinants of fetal growth and development. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) modulates the bioavailability and mitogenic activity of IGFs in vitro by regulating the cleavage of the IGF-binding protein, IGFBP4. Conover et al.(p. 1187) now determine the role of PAPPA in vivo and find that it has striking effects on growth during early embryogenesis. They find that PAPPA-null mice are proportional dwarfs, only 60% the size of wild-type mice, with remarkable similarity to IGF2-null mice. Furthermore, PAPPA mRNA colocalises with IGF2 and IGFBP4 transcripts during the development of wild-type embryos. In PAPPA-null mice, IGF2 and IGFBP4 mRNA localisation is unchanged but IGFBP4 is not cleaved and IGF-stimulated mitogenesis is inhibited. Thus, Conover and co-workers provide the first evidence that PAPPA functions as an essential growth regulator by regulating IGF bioavailability during early fetal development.
The Company of Biologists Workshops
For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues
Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 30 May 2025.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows
We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology
In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
the Node: Have your say
Our community site, the Node, is conducting a user survey about the content and the design of the site. Help us shape the Node's future and thank you for being a part of the Node over the last 15 years.
Social media
