Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has been implicated in the polarizing region signalling pathway, which specifies pattern across the antero-posterior of the developing vertebrate limb. Retinoic acid and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) can act as polarizing signals; when applied anteriorly in the limb bud, they induce mirror-image digit duplications and ectopic Bmp-2 expression in anterior mesenchyme. In addition, the two signals can activate Fgf-4 expression in anterior ridge and HoxD expression in anterior mesenchyme. We tested the role of BMP-2 in this signalling cascade by ectopically expressing human BMP-2 (hBMP-2) at the anterior margin of the early wing bud using a replication defective retroviral vector, and found that ectopic expression of Fgf-4 was induced in the anterior part of the apical ectodermal ridge, followed later by ectopic expression of Hoxd-11 and Hoxd-13 in anterior mesenchyme. This suggests that BMP-2 is involved in regulating Fgf-4 and HoxD gene expression in the normal limb bud. Ectopically expressed hBMP-2 also induced duplication of digit 2 and bifurcation of digit 3, but could not produce the mirror-image digit duplications obtained with SHH-expressing cells. These results suggest that BMP-2 may be involved primarily in maintenance of the ridge, and in the link between patterning and outgrowth of the limb bud.
Activation of Fgf-4 and HoxD gene expression by BMP-2 expressing cells in the developing chick limb
D.M. Duprez, K. Kostakopoulou, P.H. Francis-West, C. Tickle, P.M. Brickell; Activation of Fgf-4 and HoxD gene expression by BMP-2 expressing cells in the developing chick limb. Development 1 June 1996; 122 (6): 1821–1828. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.122.6.1821
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development Journal Meeting 2022: From Stem Cells to Human Development
-JournalMeeting.png?versionId=3737)
Following a virtual meeting in 2020, we are delighted to announce that the fifth iteration of our popular Journal Meeting will be held from 11-14 September 2022 at the historic Wotton House, Surrey. Registration is open now.
Special Issue: The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
(update)-ImmuneSI.png?versionId=3737)
Our latest special issue is now complete. It showcases articles that add to the repertoire of immune cell functions during development, repair and regeneration, and provide insights into the developmental pathways leading to the generation and dispersal of these cells.
Propose a new Workshop
-GSWorkshop.png?versionId=3737)
Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Preprints in Development
(update)-InPreprints.png?versionId=3737)
As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context. You can read the first article here.
FocalPlane Network launched
-FocalPlaneNetworkLaunch.png?versionId=3737)
Like the Node Network, the aim of the FocalPlane Network is to facilitate promotion and networking as well as assist those seeking conference speakers, committee members, reviewers or collaborators. We hope that it will help promote diversity in the community. Find out more and join the Network here.