The ectodermal control in chick limb development: Wnt-7a, Shh, Bmp-2 and Bmp-4 expression and the effect of FGF-4 on gene expression

Mech Dev. 1996 Dec;60(2):127-37. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4773(96)00606-5.

Abstract

We have manipulated the chick limb bud by dorsoventrally inverting the ectoderm, by grafting the AER to the dorsal or ventral ectoderm and by insertion of an FGF-4 soaked heparin bead into the mesoderm. After dorso-ventral reversal of the ectoderm, Wnt-7a expression is autonomous from an early stage of limb development in the original dorsal ectoderm. Exogenous FGF-4 causes ectopic Wnt-7a expression and induces ectopic Shh. In addition, exogenous FGF-4 increases the thickness of cartilages and also shortens them, and both Bmp-2 and Bmp-4 may mediate this effect. The ectoderm outside the AER can regulate not only the dorso-ventral polarity of the underlying mesenchyme cells but also the cartilage formation, and both Bmp-2 and Bmp-4 may mediate this control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avian Proteins*
  • Body Patterning / drug effects
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics*
  • Cartilage / drug effects
  • Cartilage / embryology
  • Chick Embryo
  • Ectoderm / drug effects
  • Ectoderm / metabolism
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 4
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Limb Buds / drug effects
  • Limb Buds / embryology*
  • Limb Buds / metabolism*
  • Limb Buds / surgery
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Time Factors
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta*
  • Wnt Proteins

Substances

  • Avian Proteins
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 4
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • WNT7A protein, Gallus gallus
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors