The T-box genes Tbx4 and Tbx5 regulate limb outgrowth and identity

Concepción Rodriguez-Esteban, Tohru Tsukui, Sayuri Yonei, Jorge Magallon, Koji Tamura and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte ()
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Sayuri Yonei: Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute
Jorge Magallon: Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute
Koji Tamura: Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute
Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte: Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute

Nature, 1999, vol. 398, issue 6730, 814-818

Abstract: Abstract During embryonic development, initially similar fields can develop into distinct structures, such as the vertebrate fore- and hindlimbs. Although considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the genetic control underlying the establishment of the different limb axes1,2,3, the molecular cues that specify the differential development of the fore- and hindlimbs are unknown. Possible candidates for genes determining limb identity are Pitx1, a gene whose transcripts are detected in the early hind- but not forelimb bud, and two members of the T-box (Tbx) gene family, Tbx4 and Tbx5, which are specifically expressed in the hindlimb and forelimb buds, respectively4,5,6. Here we show that Tbx4 and Tbx5 are essential regulators of limb outgrowth whose roles seem to be tightly linked to the activity of three signalling proteins that are required for limb outgrowth and patterning: fibroblast growth factor (FGF), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt. In addition, we provide evidence that Tbx4 and Tbx5 are involved in controlling limb identity. Our findings provide insight into how similar developmental fields can evolve into homologous but distinct structures.

Date: 1999
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DOI: 10.1038/19769

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